Trauma to the mouth and teeth

Trauma to the mouth and teeth: a condition that requires immediate attention

Trauma to the mouth or teeth is a common condition, in which the mouth and teeth suffer some type of injury. Even if no visible damage or alarm is perceived, a dentist should be consulted to make the assessment and the required treatment.

Frequent causes of trauma to the mouth or teeth

Various factors can cause these injuries: sports accidents, car accidents, falls, or fights, among others.

Regardless of the cause, it is important to take immediate steps to minimize the damage and facilitate a speedy recovery.

Types of mouth or teeth trauma

One of the most common dental traumas is tooth injury. It occurs when a hard blow to the mouth causes the tooth to loosen or break.

In some cases, the tooth may be completely knocked out of the mouth. In these cases, the tooth should be found as soon as possible and taken to the dentist to try to re-implant it.

Trauma to the mouth can also cause damage to the gums, tongue, and other soft parts of the mouth. In some cases, this can lead to cuts or lacerations that can bleed. If this occurs, it will be necessary to apply pressure with clean gauze to stop the bleeding. Medical attention should be sought if it does not stop after 15 minutes of constant pressure.

Jaw trauma can result from a fracture or dislocation of the jaw. If the jaw is suspected to be fractured or dislocated, immediate medical attention should be sought. Jaw fractures usually cause severe pain, difficulty moving the jaw, swelling, and bruising. There may also be a visible deformity on the face.

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How to act in case of mouth or teeth trauma?

If a tooth is loose, but still connected to the mouth, it should not be touched and should be tried to hold in place. If the tooth has moved from its original position, you can try to gently move it with your fingers and guide it back into place. It is necessary to seek dental care.

In the event of a fracture or chipping, recovering the fragments and taking them to the dentist is relevant. It is necessary to deposit them in saline solution or cold milk to prevent their deterioration, while the required care is received.

Based on the damage, the oral health professional will determine if reconstruction of the tooth is feasible.

How to prevent mouth or tooth trauma?

To reduce the risk of trauma to the mouth or teeth, some of the following recommendations can be adopted:

Conclusion

Where to seek dental care?

Mouth or tooth trauma can be painful. These traumas can arise at any time in life and -generally- unexpectedly.

To deal with these emergency situations in a timely manner, it is necessary to go quickly to a dental service.

Consult our directory of professionals. There you will find useful information to contact different oral health professionals, depending on the type of emergency, and thus receive timely care, reducing the impact of the event on your oral health.