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Dental Trauma

Dental Trauma

Any traumatic injury to the teeth can have immediate consequences (teeth can be chipped or move from the socket) and long term consequences too (traumatised teeth can die off or become loose).

Prevention:

To prevent sporting injuries, anyone involved in a contact sport should wear a mouth guard which should be custom made by a dentist. Children usually need one at the start of each season due to their mouths changing by gaining adult and loosing baby teeth.

If you receive any trauma to the teeth we advise you contact us immediately.

Broken Teeth:

Any fragment of tooth that has broken off should be stored in milk and brought with you into the practice asap.

Teeth that are moving - if the tooth is in the right place but feels wobbly after a trauma, try not to aggravate it by making it move more. Instead contact us asap for an appointment and avoid moving the tooth by only eating soft foods and not knocking the tooth with a toothbrush (keep the tooth and gum clean using chlorhexidine mouthwash only).

If the tooth is displaced within the socket (it is still attached to the gum but in the wrong place, you must come into us asap and the dentist will numb the area and put the tooth in the right place.

If the tooth has been removed from the socket completely it needs to be handled with care and put into the socket straight away by you following the guidelines below:

  • Only re-plant the tooth if it is an adult tooth - BABY TEETH SHOULD NOT BE RE-PLANTED.
  • Pick up the tooth holding it by the crown / white end only (not the root). Do not touch the root / yellower end.
  • If the tooth is dirty briefly wash it for 10 sends in milk, saline solution or cold running water.
  • Re-plant the tooth using the adjacent teeth to guide you for the position. Ensure the tooth is facing the correct way by comparing it to the next door tooth. When in position, bite on a handkerchief or help to hold in place by using kitchen foil. You must see a dentist as soon as possible to splint the tooth.
  • If you are unable to replant the tooth carry it inside the injured person's mouth between the cheek and teeth, or in milk. See a dentist immediately.
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