Dental Trauma

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.