Tooth Avulsion and the Young Athlete

An avulsed tooth is one that has been completely displaced from its socket. In other words, a knocked-out tooth is an avulsed tooth. Among young athletes, according to the Journal of the American Dental Association, about 13%-39% of all dental injuries are sports-related. Males are twice as likely to be injured as females and most often, the central incisor is involved in the sustaining injury.

An Avulsed Tooth Can be Saved

When a tooth is cleanly knocked out of its socket, there is a fair chance that it can be saved and returned to its position, if special care is taken, and if it is reinserted right away. Follow these steps to increase the possibility of saving the tooth:

• Handle the tooth carefully and avoid touching the root.
• A dirty tooth should be rinsed with milk – remember to hold it by the crown, because the root can be easily damaged. If milk is not available, use water.
• The tooth must remain moist. Placing it in a small container with milk is ideal. If this is not possible, if the injured individual is old enough, he or she can carefully hold it in the mouth between the gum and cheek. If it is a younger child, it would be better to have the child spit in a cup and keep the tooth moist that way. Plain water is a last resort but can be used. The important thing is to keep the tooth moist.
• You can try to slip the tooth back into the socket but do not force it in. If you try this, be sure it is facing the right direction. If the tooth will not slide back into the socket, keep it moist and get to a dentist immediately.

Seek Emergency Dental Care ASAP

When a tooth has been avulsed, time is of the essence. The sooner you can get the individual to a dentist, the better. Once in the dental office, the socket will be cleaned of debris and ideally, the tooth will be able to be placed back in the socket.

The tooth will need to be stabilized between the other teeth by splinting. This may be done by using a soft wire and composite material to attach the injured tooth to the teeth on either side. Usually, an avulsed tooth will heal within a few weeks if there has been no damage to the bone. When bone damage is also present, healing will take longer. The tooth may need to undergo root canal surgery due to damage to the nerve and blood vessels.

Sacramento Emergency Dentist is here to help with all your dental emergencies, including an avulsed tooth. Call us right away if you or your child experience mouth trauma.