Dental trauma affects millions of people annually. While active children and athletes run the highest risk when it comes to experiencing any type of injury, we are all vulnerable to accidents that can damage our teeth. Chipped teeth are common, and trauma-related tooth loss happens more than it should.
Protecting Yourself, Your Children, and Your Athlete
Dentists recommend using a sports guard while participating in athletic activities and doing so significantly improves your chances of avoiding damage when accidents occur. Making the small investment in a professional mouth guard that is customized by a dentist assures a proper fit and keeps the wearer’s mouth well protected.
A good rule of thumb on when to use a mouth guard is that if a helmet is recommended - so is a mouth guard.
If a Dental Injury Occurs
Early intervention is vital. If there has been trauma to the mouth, you may be able to visualize the damage or you might not notice anything out of the ordinary. A trained professional knows what to look for and is uniquely qualified to assess the injury. Only by seeing you or your injured loved one can your dentist recommend the best treatment for it.
Dental injuries sometimes require a referral to a specialist. In many cases of dental injury, an endodontist will be consulted to attempt preservative treatment to avoid extraction.
If you are experiencing severe pain or persistent bleeding from the mouth and cannot reach your dentist, visit your local emergency room.
What to do While Waiting to see the Dentist
Dislodged Baby Teeth – don’t usually need to be replaced, however, the child must be seen by a medical professional to determine if the empty space will potentially impact nearby permanent teeth. Place permanent teeth lost by a child in milk, or slightly salted water.
Dislodged Adult Teeth - can be gently cleaned and placed back into its socket, placing a napkin over it and biting down gently on the way to the dentist.
For any injury, until the dentist can be seen, keep the area clean by using a soft toothbrush and antiseptic mouthwash. Eat only soft foods and avoid risky activities. Take over-the-counter pain relievers to help ease any pain.
If you have a dental emergency in Chagrin Falls or Beachwood,
call Dr. Christopher Carson at Dental Health Group of Chagrin.