Most of us don’t give our teeth much thought until something goes wrong. Then, suddenly, they become the centre of attention and are impossible to ignore.
A fall in the garden, a sporting injury, an unexpected collision or even a simple trip on the pavement can result in damage to one or more teeth. Sometimes the injury is obvious straight away. In other cases, a tooth may only feel slightly different, leaving you unsure whether it needs attention.
Knowing what to do in those first few minutes can make a real difference, particularly if a permanent tooth has been knocked out completely.
It is understandable to panic if you see blood or notice that a tooth has become wobbly and unstable following a blow. The first priority should always be to make sure there are no more serious injuries. If there has been a heavy blow to the head, significant bleeding, loss of consciousness or suspected facial fractures, medical attention should be sought immediately.
Once you are confident that the injury is limited to the mouth, you can turn your attention to the damaged tooth.
A tooth that has come out completely is known as an avulsed tooth. Although it might not seem possible, there is sometimes a good chance of saving it if the right action is taken quickly.
If this happens to you, you should pick up the tooth by the crown, which is the part normally visible in the mouth. Try not to touch the root, as this contains delicate cells that are important if the tooth is to be successfully replanted.
If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently for a few seconds using clean milk or saline solution if available. Clean water can be used if there is no alternative, but avoid scrubbing the tooth or using soap, disinfectants or a toothbrush.
If possible, carefully place the tooth back into its socket and bite gently onto a clean handkerchief or piece of gauze to keep it in place. If you cannot replace the tooth, keep it moist by placing it in milk or in a container with saline solution. Some people can also hold it inside the mouth between the cheek and gum, provided there is no risk of swallowing it. The important point is not to let the tooth dry out.
Following this, you should contact our Bromley dental practice immediately. The sooner the treatment begins, the greater the chance of saving the tooth.
If a young child’s baby tooth has been knocked out completely, it should not normally be pushed back into the socket. Doing so could damage the developing adult tooth beneath it. It is still essential though that you call the dentist straight away so that the child can be examined and to see if any treatment will be needed.
If the tooth has not been knocked out but has been affected in a way that makes it feel loose or wobbly, it should be seen by a dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, try to avoid using that tooth to bite with and stick to softer foods to prevent any further damage or discomfort.
A chipped tooth may not seem like an emergency, especially if there is little or no discomfort. However, the break can sometimes expose the deeper layers of the tooth, making it more sensitive or increasing the risk of infection. If you find the broken fragment of tooth, make sure that you keep it and bring it with you to your appointment. In some cases, it may be possible to bond it back into place. Even when that is not an option, modern cosmetic dentistry often provides effective ways of restoring the tooth’s appearance.
Following any injury to the mouth, it is quite common for the lips, cheeks or gums to become swollen. Applying a cold compress or wrapped ice pack to the outside of the face for short periods may help reduce swelling and provide some comfort.
Over-the-counter pain relief may also be suitable for most people, provided it is appropriate for your individual medical circumstances and used according to the instructions.
Even if there is no obvious damage, we recommend that you contact the Smile Dental Practice to have the tooth examined. Not all damage occurs above the gum line and you may need x-rays or scans to be certain that there are no hidden problems that have occurred.
Firstly, it is worth remembering that a healthy tooth is less likely to be damaged than one that has been neglected so brushing and flossing are essential. This won’t prevent the worst injuries though so, using common sense, wear a mouthguard if you play high risk contact sports such as rugby. Following sensible health and safety precautions makes sense too. Finally, excessive consumption of alcohol is a known factor in a lot of injuries caused by falls. Most dentists see an increase in patients with this kind of problem following events where people drink a lot, such as following an England world cup game for example.
You can’t prevent all accidents of course, but it makes good sense to do what you can.
The key thing, following a blow to the face, is to go to A&E if there are concerns about a head injury, otherwise, contact your dentist straight away for an emergency appointment where needed. You can contact the Smile Dental Practice in Bromley by calling us on 020 8462 2473.
Design By Dental Media
