Dental injuries from knocked-out teeth to soft-tissue lacerations are common and require prompt action to reduce pain, prevent infection, and improve the chance of saving the tooth.
A dental injury refers to an injury a person suffers to their teeth. This can often lead to damaged gums, broken teeth, and displaced or lost teeth. Such injuries can often occur suddenly, and knowing how to take care of them can help you save yourself and others from pain.
Types of Dental Injuries
- Avulsed (knocked-out) tooth
- Fractured or chipped tooth
- Tooth luxation (displaced within socket)
- Severe toothache (suspected infection or pulp exposure)
- Oral soft-tissue injuries (lips, tongue, gums)
- Foreign object lodged between teeth
Causes of Dental Injury
The common causes associated with dental injuries are as follows:
- Biting into or eating something hard.
- Suffering an accident while playing a sport.
- Getting hit in the face.
- Falling over.
Symptoms of Dental Injury
A chipped tooth is usually the most common symptom of a dental injury. Such a tooth often irritates the tongue and cheek. The tooth that is injured isn’t always sensitive to temperature or food. It isn’t always painful, either.
The signs of dental trauma depend on the kind of dental injury a person has suffered. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Toothache.
- Swelling.
- Tooth that is slightly loose.
- Discolored tooth.
- Bleeding from the mouth.
- Mouth pain.
- The teeth do not fit together in the same way while biting down.
- Difficulty in opening your mouth or moving your jaw.
First Aid for Dental Injury
Dental injuries can range from chipped or fractured teeth and lacerations to a completely knocked-out tooth. Immediate, proper first aid can help relieve discomfort, prevent further damage, and increase the chances of saving a displaced tooth. Here are the essential steps for managing common dental injuries:
1. Stay Calm and Assess the Injury
- Identify the Type of Injury:
- Chipped or Fractured Tooth: May cause sharp, jagged edges and sensitivity.
- Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsion): The tooth has been completely displaced from its socket.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Cuts or lacerations to the lips, gums, or tongue.
- Determine Severity:
- If the injured person is in pain or if there’s significant bleeding from soft tissue injuries, take prompt first aid measures while preparing for urgent professional care.
2. Managing a Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out permanent tooth can often be replanted if you act quickly—ideally within 30 minutes.
- Handle the Tooth Correctly:
- Pick Up by the Crown: Hold the tooth by the crown (the part visible in the mouth) rather than the root to avoid damaging the delicate periodontal fibers.
- Rinse the Tooth Gently (if dirty):
- Rinse quickly under lukewarm water for a few seconds.
- Do Not scrub or use soap, and never use hot or cold water, as this can hurt the tooth’s living cells.
- Replanting the Tooth:
- If Possible: Gently try to reposition the tooth into its socket. Encourage the person to bite down on a clean cloth or gauze to help hold the tooth in place.
- If Replantation Isn’t Feasible:
- Store Appropriately: Place the tooth in a container with milk, saliva (by having the person spit into the container), or a specialized tooth preservation solution. This helps maintain the tooth’s viability.
- Seek Immediate Dental Care:
- Even if you successfully replant the tooth, it needs to be evaluated by a dentist as soon as possible.
3. Managing Chipped, Fractured, or Cracked Teeth
- Rinse and Clean the Area:
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to clear away any debris.
- Protect Sharp Edges:
- If the chipped tooth has rough edges that might irritate your tongue or the roof of your mouth, cover them with a piece of sugar-free chewing gum or apply dental wax (if available) until you can see a dentist.
- Save the Fragments:
- If possible, collect any broken pieces of the tooth and store them in a clean, damp cloth or container with milk. Your dentist may be able to reattach the fragment.
4. Managing Soft Tissue Injuries (Lips, Gums, Tongue)
- Control Bleeding:
- Apply Gentle Pressure: Use a clean piece of gauze or cloth and press gently against the cut to help stop the bleeding.
- Clean the Wound:
- Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater (half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of warm water) to cleanse the area gently. This can help reduce the risk of infection.
- Reduce Swelling and Pain:
- Apply a cold compress on the outside of your cheek near the injury for 10–15 minutes at a time.
- Monitor for Infection:
- If the area becomes increasingly red, swollen, or if you develop a high fever, seek dental or medical attention.
5. When to Seek Professional Help
Always have an injured tooth or oral injury evaluated by a dental professional. They can assess the need for further treatment or potential reconstruction.
- Urgent Evaluation is Necessary:
- For a knocked-out tooth, even if replantation is attempted, prompt dental care is essential.
- Any signs of severe injury, prolonged pain, or if multiple teeth or structures are involved.
Prevention
While it isn’t always possible to prevent dental injuries from taking place, there are a few precautions you can take to avoid them. Those precautions include:
- Always wear a mouthguard while playing a sport.
- If you grind your teeth at night, wear a night guard.
- If you have been diagnosed with a disorder that causes you to fall down, put on a special helmet to avoid tooth injuries.
- Don’t chew on hard objects or eat hard foods.
- Install safety gates around the house, especially if you live with kids or elderly individuals, as they are susceptible to injuries.
Do’s and Don’ts
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Handle teeth by the crown and keep them moist | Touch or scrub tooth roots |
| Store avulsed teeth in milk or saline if not reimplanted | Wrap teeth in tissue or let them dry |
| Control bleeding gently with gauze | Use tourniquets or excessive pressure on gums |
| Apply cold compresses externally | Apply heat, creams, or home remedies inside the mouth |
| Seek dental care within appropriate time frames | Delay professional evaluation for deep injuries |
REFERENCES
- John Furst, First Aid for Dental Injury: Immediate Steps for Emergency Dental Care January 29, 2024, https://www.firstaidforfree.com/first-aid-for-dental-injury/
- The Simple Tooth, First Aid for Dental Emergencies: What to Do in Critical Situations, https://simpletooth.com/first-aid-for-dental-emergencies/
- Newton Dental Studio, Essential first-aid steps for common dental injuries, https://www.newtondentalstudio.com/first-aid-for-common-dental-injuries/
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