Dental Trauma

Dental Emergencies What is a dental emergency? Injuries to the mouth may include teeth that are knocked out (avulsed), forced out of position and loosened (extruded) or fractured. In addition, lips, gums or cheeks are often cut. Oral injuries are often painful and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible. How soon should I see a dentist? Immediately. Getting to a dentist with 30 minutes can make the difference between saving or losing a tooth. When a tooth is knocked out: Immediately call your dentist for an emergency appointment. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Touching the root (the part of the tooth below the gum) can damage cells necessary for bone re-attachment. Gently rinse the tooth in water to remove dirt. Do not scrub. Do not try to replace the tooth into the socket, but place the clean tooth in your mouth between the cheek and gum to keep it moist. It is important not to let the tooth dry out. If it is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth of the injured person, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse in milk. When a tooth is pushed out of position: Attempt to reposition the tooth to its normal alignment using very light finger pressure, but do not force the tooth. Bite down to keep the tooth from moving. The dentist may splint the tooth in place to the two healthy teeth next to the loose tooth. When a tooth is fractured: Rinse mouth with warm water. Use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce swelling. Use ibuprofen, not aspirin, for pain. Immediately get to your dentist, who will determine treatment based on how badly the tooth is broken. Only a dentist can tell how bad the break is. Minor fractures can be smoothed by your dentist with a sandpaper disc or simply left alone. Another option is to restore the tooth with a composite restoration. In either case, treat the tooth with care for several days. Moderate fractures include damage to the enamel, dentin and/or pulp. If the pulp is not permanently damaged, the tooth may be restored with a full permanent crown. If pupal damage does occur, further dental treatment will be required. Severe fractures often mean a traumatized tooth with slim chance of recovery. When tissue is injured: Injuries to the inside of the mouth include tears, puncture wounds and lacerations to the cheek, lips or tongue. The wound should be cleaned right away with warm water, and the injured person taken to a hospital emergency room for the necessary care. Bleeding from a tongue laceration can be reduced by pulling the tongue forward and using gauze to place pressure on the wound. What can I do to be prepared? Pack an emergency dental care kit, including a dentist's phone numbers (home and office), saline solution, a handkerchief, some gauze, a small container with lid, Ibuprofen (not aspirin. Aspirin is an anti-coagulant, which may cause excessive bleeding in a dental emergency.)

MOUTH GUARDS

What is a mouthguard? A mouthguard is a flexible appliance made out of plastic that is worn in athletic and recreational activities to protect teeth from trauma. Why should I wear a mouthguard? To protect your mouth from injuries. The dental profession unanimously supports the use of mouthguards in a variety of sports activities. More than 200,000 injuries to the mouth and jaw occur each year. Do mouthguards prevent injuries? A mouthguard can prevent serious injuries such as concussions, cerebral hemorrhages, incidents of unconsciousness, jaw fractures and neck injuries by helping to avoid situations where the lower jaw gets jammed into the upper jaw. Mouthguards are effective in moving soft issue in the oral cavity away from the teeth, preventing laceration and bruising of the lips and cheeks, especially for those who wear orthodontic appliances. In what sports should I wear a mouthguard? Anytime there is a strong chance for contact with other participants or hard surfaces, it is advisable to wear a mouthguard. Players who participate in basketball, soft ball, football,wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, in-line skating, martial arts as well as recreational sports such as skateboarding, and bicycling should wear mouthguards while competing. Why don't kids wear mouthguards? Parents are sometimes uninformed about the level of contact and potential for serious dental injuries involved with sports in which the child participates. Some, though not all schools, reinforce the health advantage of mouthguards for their contact sports. Cost may be another consideration, although mouthguards come in a variety of price ranges. What are the different types of mouthguards? Stock mouthguard: The lowest cost option is a stock item, which offers the least protection because the fit adjustment is limited. It may interfere with speech and breathing because this mouthguard requires that the jaw be closed to hold it in place. A stock mouthguard is not considered acceptable as an facial protective device. Mouth-formed protectors: These mouthguards come as a shell-liner and "boil-and-bite" product. The shell is lined with acrylic or rubber. When placed in an athlete's mouth, the protector's lining material molds to the teeth and is allowed to set. Custom-made mouth protectors: The best choice is a mouthguard custom-made by your dentist. It offers the best protection, fit and comfort level because it is made from a cast to fit your teeth. How should I care for a mouthguard? Clean your mouthguard by washing it with soap and warm (not hot) water. Before storing, soak your mouthguard in mouthwash. Keep your mouthguard in a well-ventilated plastic storage box when not in use. Make sure the box has several holes so the mouth-guard will dry. Heat is bad for mouth-guards, so don't leave it in direct sunlight or in a closed automobile. Don't bend your mouth-guard when storing. Don't handle or wear some-one else's mouthguard. Call your dentist who made the mouthguard if there are any problems. This information was compiled for you by the Academy of General Dentistry.

Academy of General Dentistry





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