If you’re committed to maintaining your oral health, it’s crucial to understand not only the everyday essentials, such as brushing, flossing, and routine checkups, but the more unexpected issues, like dental trauma. This is a broad term that involves injury to the teeth, gums, or any part of the oral cavity. Here’s what you need to know:
What is Dental Trauma?
Dental trauma refers to injury to the mouth, including your teeth, lips, gums, tongue, and jaw. It often occurs as a result of an accident or sports injury. The severity can range from a minor chip of the tooth to a more serious fracture, or even a completely knocked out tooth. While some cases of dental trauma appear minor on the surface, remember that even seemingly minor injuries can lead to significant oral health issues if not addressed promptly.
The Different Types of Dental Trauma
When we talk about dental trauma, we are referring to a wide range of potential injuries. The most common include:
- Tooth Fractures: This involves damage to the hard, outer layer of your tooth. Depending on the extent of the fracture, the damage could reach down to the tooth’s root.
- Luxation: In such cases, the tooth is not knocked out but is displaced, and may be pushed sideways, forwards, backwards, or downwards.
- Avulsion: This refers to the complete displacement of the tooth from its socket. It’s crucial to seek emergency dental care in such situations.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: These are injuries to the gums, tongue, or inner cheeks.
What You Can Do About Dental Trauma
Whether it’s a minor chip or a more severe injury, prompt attention and care for dental trauma is essential to prevent further complications. Here are some steps you can take:
- Contact a dental professional: Reach out to your dentist as soon as possible. They can provide guidance over the phone and arrange for an immediate appointment if needed.
- Apply Cold Compress: To manage pain and swelling, apply a cold compress to the affected area.
- Handle Dislodged Teeth with Care: If a tooth has been knocked out, handle it by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently and, if possible, place it back into the socket or in a cup of milk until you can see your dentist. Be sure to call your dentist immediately as the survival rate of a tooth drops significantly if it remains out of the mouth for more than an hour.
If you’re ever unfortunate enough to experience dental trauma, remember that immediate and effective treatment can make all the difference to your recovery. That’s where Capital Dental Group comes in. Our team of experienced professionals is equipped to handle a wide range of dental emergencies and is committed to providing prompt, high-quality care seven days a week. Give us a call at 661-861-8000 to schedule an appointment today!