Oral Injuries: What Should You Do Immediately?

Updated May 7, 2020

Are you experiencing oral injuries of any kind? If so, then you know how extremely painful they are! The oral injuries listed here should be treated immediately:

• A tooth that is knocked out (avulsed)
• Teeth that are pushed out of position (extruded)
• Fractured or broken teeth
• Damaged soft tissue

Getting to our office to see Dr. Davis immediately or within thirty minutes following your oral injury is extremely important. Why? Because it means the difference between saving and losing your tooth! For all oral injuries, call our office at (307) 634-3488 immediately. Schedule an emergency appointment and head to our office. 

 

Oral Injury #1: A Tooth That is Knocked Out (Avulsed)

• Handle your tooth by the crown. Do not touch the root. Touching the part of your tooth that is supposed to be below the gumline damages cells necessary for bone reattachment.
• Rinse your tooth gently in water if it’s dirty. But don’t scrub it!
• Place your clean tooth in the socket gently to keep it moist. It’s important not to let the root of your tooth dry out.
• If it’s not possible to place your clean tooth in the socket or store it in your mouth (or the mouth of the person who is injured), wrap your tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse it in milk or saliva.

Important to note: A tooth that is knocked out and returned to its socket within sixty minutes of being knocked out is more likely of being saved. 

 

Oral Injury #2: Teeth that are Pushed Out of Position (Extruded)

• Using very light finger pressure, reposition and align your tooth in its socket. Do not force your tooth into position.
• Then, bite down to keep your tooth from moving.

 

Oral Injury #3: Fractured or Broken Teeth

• Rinse your mouth with warm water.
• Use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce swelling and ease the pain. (Frozen peas work nicely!)
• Take ibuprofen for any pain you are experiencing. (Remember, do not take aspirin. Aspirin is an anti-coagulant and may cause excessive bleeding).
• Again, get to our office immediately. Only a dentist can tell how badly a tooth is fractured or broken. Dr. Davis will determine the treatment necessary based on how badly your tooth is injured.

1. Treat minor fractures with care for several days. Dr. Davis can smooth or restore minor fractures with a composite restoration. If the fracture is minor enough, Dr. Davis may choose to leave it alone.
2. Moderate fractures include damage to the enamel, dentin, and pulp (nerve and other live tissues). As long as the pulp is not damaged permanently, a permanent crown is usually used to restore the tooth. But if the pulp is damaged, further dental treatment is required to restore the fractured tooth.
3. Severe fractures mean a tooth is extremely traumatized with not much of a chance for recovery.

 

Oral Injury #4: Damaged Soft Tissue

Injuries to the soft tissues include the tongue, cheeks, gums, and lips. Soft-tissue injuries usually bleed a lot! To control the bleeding, do this:

• Rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution right away.
• Hold a moistened piece of gauze or a teabag against the injury; apply pressure for fifteen to twenty minutes.
• Hold a cold compress on the outside of your mouth or cheek for five to ten minutes to control the bleeding and relieve pain.
• And once again, get to our office right away. Keep applying pressure with the gauze until Dr. Davis sees you.

Toothaches, objects caught between teeth, a lost filling or crown, broken braces or wires, loose brackets, and bands or abscesses are not dental emergencies requiring immediate attention. However, you should contact Davis Dental or your orthodontist as soon as possible. But if left unattended, these kinds of dental problems have the potential to develop into something serious. 

 

Be Prepared for Oral Injuries

As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Be prepared. Build an emergency dental-care kit and keep it handy. It should include:

• Our phone number: (307) 634-3488
• A clean handkerchief
• Clean gauze
• A clean, small container with a lid
• Ibuprofen, not aspirin

Oral injuries to your teeth or soft tissues are nothing to be ignored. Ignoring these types of injuries increases the risk of permanent damage and the need for more extensive and expensive treatment later on. Contact Davis Dental immediately if you experience an oral injury. Call our office at (307) 634-3488. Follow the instructions for your type of oral injury listed above. And make your way into our office within thirty minutes from the time of your injury. Take good care of your teeth, and they’ll serve you well for life!

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Quality Dental Care for Your Whole Family

3249 Sparks Road

Cheyenne, WY 82001

(307) 634-3488

Open: Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm