Tooth Truth or Mouth Myth?

Welcome back to the Tooth Truth or Mouth Myth blog series at Dakota Dental Apple Valley Dentistry!

Thanks for the questions you’ve submitted. We’ll answer them within this blog and “bust” any myths and let you know which are Tooth Truths and which are Mouth Myths.

The myth-bustin’ Apple Valley dentists, Dr. Shelley and Dr. Bennett, are anxious to hear what old wives’ tales, sayings or commonly held beliefs about teeth and oral health you’d like busted. So submit your question to your Dakota Dental Apple Valley Dental Clinic at: https://dakotadental.com/ask-questions/ and watch this blog where we’ll let you know if it’s a Tooth Truth or a Mouth Myth.

(Added bonus = everyone who submits a myth or question for Dakota Dental Apple Valley dentistry to bust will be entered into a drawing to win a prize!)

The current Tooth Truth or Mouth Myth we’re busting is …

“A dislodged tooth should be placed in milk to “save” it so that your dentist can put it back in place.”

This old wives’ tale implies that placing a tooth that has been knocked out into milk protects the tooth until it can be placed back in its socket – is this a Tooth Truth or a Mouth Myth?

Apple Valley dentists, Dr. Shelley and Dr. Bennett say … this is a Tooth Truth! Here’s why: milk is a good temporary preservative for a dislodged tooth because its chemical makeup is compatible with teeth.

And here’s more information as to what you should do if you or someone around you has a permanent tooth dislodged:

A lost baby tooth can’t be replaced and doesn’t need to be put back in. But a permanent tooth can often be saved if you act quickly and handle the tooth properly.

Plan to get to the Dakota Dental Apple Valley Dental Clinic right away for their dental emergency services. A permanent tooth has the best chance of survival if replaced within 30 minutes.

If there’s bleeding, put cold water on a piece of gauze and apply pressure to the site.

Handle the tooth very carefully and don’t touch the root of the tooth (the part of the tooth that was embedded in the gum) because it can be easily damaged.

The best place to preserve the tooth on the way to the Dakota Dental Apple Valley Dental Clinic is in its socket. But only attempt to very gently place the tooth back in the socket if the individual is old enough to not swallow it. You can also gently place the tooth in the mouth between the cheek and gum (again, only if the individual won’t swallow it.)

place the tooth back in the socket if the individual is old enough to not swallow it. You can also gently place the tooth in the mouth between the cheek and gum (again, only if the individual won’t swallow it.) It’s important to keep the tooth moist. You can carefully place it into a glass of milk. If no milk is available, have the individual spit into a container and place the tooth into the saliva. Use a cup of water if nothing else is available but only use tap water as a last resort as it contains chlorine, which may damage the root.

Get into your Dakota Dental Apple Valley Dental Clinic for professional dental emergency services as quickly as possible. We accommodate dental emergencies and with proper dental procedures, often times the dislocated tooth reattaches.

The odds of saving a tooth are highest in young children, but adult teeth can be saved as well. Even if the tooth reattaches, additional dental procedures are likely necessary to prevent the tooth from darkening or becoming infected.

Even if the odds seem poor, Apple Valley dentists, Dr. Shelley and Dr. Bennett, recommend that you try to save the tooth and contact your Dakota Dental Apple Valley Dental Clinic ASAP.