Traumatic Dental Injuries

Preventing and Treating Dental Injuries: Emergency Care at Schaefer Dental Group in Lansing, Michigan

Dental injuries can occur in people of all ages and activity levels, whether from a car accident, a fall, or a sports impact. The primary goal when treating a traumatic dental injury is to save teeth at risk of being lost and restore them to full function and normal appearance. Knowing the proper immediate action is crucial for saving a tooth.

Preventing Sports-Related Dental Injuries

Dental trauma accounts for a significant portion of all sports injuries, yet many are preventable with a high-quality mouthguard. Considering the estimated lifetime cost of replacing a permanent tooth can exceed $20,000, a mouthguard is an indispensable investment in safety gear; it has been shown to reduce the risk of injury by 60 times.

The best kind of mouthguard is one that is custom-made from a model of your own teeth at your dentist’s office. It is strong, lightweight, and perfectly fitted for superior protection. If you or your child are active in sports, ask your dentist in Lansing, Michigan about a custom athletic mouthguard.

Action Plan for Specific Dental Injuries

Chipped or Broken Teeth

Chipped teeth are the most common dental injury. If teeth have been chipped, fractured, or are loose or tender, make sure to see a dentist within 12 hours. Try to locate any pieces of the tooth that have come off; it may be possible to reattach them to the crown using tooth-colored bonding material.

Knocked-Out Teeth (Avulsed)

If a permanent tooth has been knocked out of its socket, immediate attention is required:

1. Recover and Clean: Recover the tooth. If dirty, gently clean it off with water, taking care not to touch the root portion.

2. Replant (if possible): If possible, place the tooth back into its socket in the proper orientation and apply gentle, sustained pressure for five minutes. Use wet tissue or gauze to help hold it.

3. Transport Safely: If replanting is not possible, have the patient hold the tooth between the cheek and teeth, or place it into a plastic bag with the patient’s saliva, or into a cup of cold milk.

4. Seek Emergency Care: Get emergency dental treatment as soon as possible, and be sure to check whether a tetanus shot or booster is needed.

Note: Primary (baby) teeth don’t usually need to be replanted.

Partially Displaced Teeth

If teeth are driven into, pushed partially out of the jaw, or are out of alignment, the patient should see a dentist or oral surgeon within six hours of the accident for an examination (plus X-rays) to determine the extent of the damage.

Soft-Tissue Injuries (Gums, Tongue, Inner Mouth)

When injuries involve the soft tissues, take the following immediate actions:

• Clean and Rinse: Wash and rinse the area with soap and water if possible, or remove debris by hand.

• Control Bleeding: Bleeding can usually be controlled by applying direct, gentle pressure to gauze pads placed on the wound.

• Seek Emergency Care: If bleeding cannot be controlled after about 10 minutes, go to an emergency room.

Don’t hesitate to call Schaefer Dental Group for more specific information about handling a traumatic dental injury.