Tooth Trauma? Your Ankeny Dentist Discusses What to Do

Sports are a wonderful way for you and your children to stay active. However, sports-related accidents can happen. You never know when that wicked grounder will take a bad hop and hit you (or your child) in the mouth.

Heaven forbid you lose a tooth during recreational play, but if you should, the very first thing you want to do is call your Ankeny dentist and schedule an appointment immediately. After your appointment is scheduled, here’s a look at the steps you should take to better ensure your dislodged tooth’s survival.

How To Safely Store Your Tooth

With a knocked out tooth, time is of the essence. You must act quickly to increase the chances of your tooth’s survival. If you are more than a few minutes away from the dentist’s office, try to place the tooth back in its socket. Generally, a tooth that is dislodged and replaced within 30 minutes of being knocked out has a much greater rate of survival.

If you are able to fit your tooth back in its socket, you should place some gauze in your mouth and gently bite down onto it. This will stave off any bleeding and will better ensure your tooth will remain in place. Should you have difficulty placing the tooth back in its socket, you should keep the tooth moist by placing the knocked out tooth in a glass of cool milk.

Peddicord Family Dentistry Can Help

At Peddicord Family Dentistry, we are firmly committed to patient education. Whether you are visiting due to a dental emergency or a basic cleaning, we will gladly answer your questions while taking care of all of your dental needs. Because we are a family practice, we provide dental care to everyone in your home, with a full range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services available. Contact your Ankeny dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord today to schedule an appointment at 515-963-3339. We not only serve patients in Ankeny, but in Cambridge, Sheldall, Maxwell, Collins, and surrounding communities.