Dental Trauma Advice: What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Step-by-Step Dental Trauma First Aid

1. Find the Tooth and Handle Carefully

If a tooth is knocked out, find the tooth as soon as possible. Hold the tooth by the crown (the part that is usually visible in the mouth), not the root (the pointed end). Do not scrub the tooth or place it in disinfectant, as this can damage the tissue.

2. Replant the Tooth (If Clean)

If the tooth is clean and undamaged, carefully push it back into the socket. Ensure it is positioned the right way around. If done immediately after the injury, this is usually painless. Hold the tooth in place by asking the child to bite gently on a clean cloth or handkerchief. Seek emergency dental advice as soon as possible.

3. Rinse the Tooth (If Dirty)

If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently in cold milk or cold water (do not use hot water) to remove dirt or debris. Do not scrub or clean it aggressively, as this could damage the tooth. After rinsing, follow the same process by carefully reinserting the tooth into the socket.

4. Keep the Tooth Moist

If you are unable to replant the tooth back into the socket, place it in milk or cold water. Do not let the tooth dry out. Do not place the tooth in disinfectant as this can harm the root cells. Time is critical, so get to a dentist immediately.

5. For Broken Teeth

If a tooth is broken, try to find the broken pieces and store them in milk. Contact your dentist immediately as sometimes broken pieces of teeth can be reattached using dental bonding materials.

6. Other Injuries: Seek Immediate Medical Attention

If there are other injuries associated with the trauma, such as vomiting, headache, loss of consciousness, amnesia, difficulty breathing, or fractures, you should seek immediate medical attention at the hospital. After addressing any urgent health concerns, visit your dentist as soon as possible for treatment of any dental injuries.

7. Contact Your Dentist Immediately

Even if the damage to the tooth is not immediately apparent, contact your dentist right away. Injuries to teeth can sometimes appear worse at first but may have deeper implications that are not visible. Delaying treatment can lead to further complications.

Why You Should See Your Dentist Right Away

At Shipston Dental Practice, our team is highly skilled in handling dental trauma. Even if the damage doesn’t seem severe, we recommend seeking professional advice because:

• Teeth can sometimes be repositioned or "glued" back into place.
• A knocked-out tooth may be successfully reimplanted if addressed quickly.
• Even if the tooth appears intact, there could be internal damage that requires treatment.

We use a broad range of techniques to repair damaged teeth and restore your smile effectively. Early treatment is essential to give the best chance of saving the tooth and preventing complications.

What to Do After a Dental Injury

After any form of dental trauma, follow-up visits to the dentist are necessary to ensure that your tooth is healing properly. Depending on the severity of the injury, your dentist may recommend treatments like:

• Dental bonding or crowns to restore broken teeth.
• Root canal therapy if the tooth’s nerve has been damaged.
• Follow-up examinations to monitor tooth development and healing.