Dental trauma may be inflicted by sports related accidents, car
accidents, falls, fights, or eating hard foods. The trauma that may occur
can be a tooth that is knocked out, cracked or fractured, pushed out of
position, or loosened by impact. Because oral tissues are sensitive,
injuries to the mouth are typically very painful. These type of injuries
should receive prompt treatment from a dentist.
A permanent tooth that has been knocked out is a dental
emergency. If possible, the tooth should be reinserted in the socket and
held there until a dentist can be seen. If it's not possible to replace
the tooth in the socket, the tooth should be placed in milk, saliva, or cool
water with a pinch of saline solution.
For lesser dental trauma, soft tissue injuries may only require
cold compresses or ice to reduce swelling. Bleeding can be controlled
with direct pressure with a clean gauze pad. Pain may be managed with
aspirin or acetaminophen.
Treatment of a broken tooth will vary depending on severity of
the fracture.
Since many of the dental emergencies we see are sports related,
it is wise for children to wear a mouth guard when playing contact sports.
Please be aware that each individual is different and that the above
does not apply to everyone. Only a qualified dentist in consultation with you
can determine what may or may not be beneficial to your conditions.