Preventing and Treating Teeth Injury. Useful Tips

Injury is a potential hazard of any active lifestyle. Whether you are playing sports, hiking on forested paths, or merely walking to work; there is always a risk of injury.

Though not something we regularly think about, an injury to teeth can be serious and requires first aid treatment, just like any other injury.

Treating an injury to teeth

As with any first aid, treat the most serious injuries first. In serious injury cases, dental injuries would rank lower in priority to shock, severe lacerations or concussion. When the opportunity arises, be sure to take proper action for broken or knocked out teeth.

If a tooth is completely knocked out, it should be rinsed off with water immediately. Try to handle teeth by the crown rather than the root so as not to risk damaging the ligaments. Wherever possible and if the adult consents, the tooth should be placed back into its socket. However, many people might be squeamish about replacing a knocked out tooth. No problem. Simply transport the tooth to the doctor or dentist in saliva, saline or milk. Never transport the tooth in water.

Ideally, the mouth is the best place for teeth. The knocked out tooth could also be transported inside the victim’s mouth if they are conscious and are not at risk of swallowing the tooth. The tooth could also be transported in someone else’s mouth, if necessary.

Transporting a tooth dry will damage the tooth beyond repair in minutes. Be sure to place the tooth in an appropriate liquid (saliva, saline or milk) as soon as possible. If a tooth is knocked out, the socket will probably be bleeding. This bleeding will need to be treated as well. Rinse the mouth out with water and place gauze or tissue over the socket and bite down on it to hold gentle but firm pressure on the wound. This should stop the bleeding. Sometimes, teeth break off or break into pieces. If this happens, avoid eating or drinking anything (we don’t want to swallow our own teeth, right?). Try to gather as many as the pieces as possible and transport them to the doctor or dentist in, again, saliva, saline or milk. Upon arrival, the doctor or dentist will attempt to reinsert the tooth, if it is not reinserted at the scene. A tooth can be reinserted up to thirty minutes after being knocked out. So quick action at the scene is needed. The doctor or dentist may need to stabilize the tooth using wire, a metal arch or plastic bond. This brace may need to be worn for up to four weeks.

For broken or chipped teeth, the doctor or dentist will evaluate what action will be required. Obviously, the severity of the break will determine the severity of the action. For small chips, the doctor or dentist may choose to take no action. For more severe breaks, major cosmetic reconstruction may be required. Sometimes, extraction of the broken tooth might be necessary. As you can imagine, there may be some degree of pain associated with an injury to teeth. Regular pain medications can be prescribed or administered to assist with easing the pain.

In the case of an injury to baby teeth or non-permanent teeth, the doctor or dentist may choose to take no action and simply leave the tooth out as the child will be replacing that tooth eventually anyway. An x-ray may be required to determine if damage to the permanent tooth below the baby tooth has occurred.

Preventing injury to teeth

Obviously, if you are regularly engaging in contact sports, a mouth guard will be necessary to prevent injury to teeth. A properly fitted mouth guard should be an important part of any athletic gear whether you are boxing or playing racquetball. Severe blows to the face inflicting dental injuries can occur in almost any sport. Take the necessary preventative measures to protect your teeth, mouth and gums.

Grinding teeth can also be a cause of dental injuries. Chipped teeth are common at night, though if the teeth are damaged or diseased, then more severe injuries can occur. Your doctor and fit a bite plate or bite splint for use at night to prevent tooth damage.

Probably the best prevention to injuries to teeth is good oral hygiene. Make sure your teeth are strong by brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least twice per day, floss regularly and maintain a healthy diet. Regular visits to your dentist can also ensure your teeth are strong and healthy. While an injury to teeth may seem minor compared to other potential injuries, it can seriously affect your overall health. With damaged teeth, we would not be able to eat a healthy diet. With disfigured teeth, we would be less apt to smile. Keep your teeth healthy and protected as part as your overall health.