Dental injuries can be a distressing experience, whether they result from a fall, an accident, or a sports injury. The severity of these injuries can vary widely – from a bruised tooth to the loss of a tooth. In each instance, it’s crucial to be prepared and understand the steps you must take immediately following a dental injury.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through common types of dental injuries, what to do immediately after the injury, and the steps you should take in the weeks following.

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Types of Dental Injuries & What to do

1. Bruised Tooth (Concussed Tooth)A bruised tooth, often referred to as a concussed tooth, can occur when you bite down on something hard, like candy, or accidentally hit your tooth with a fork. This type of injury can cause the tooth to become sensitive to touch, pressure, and temperature.Immediate CareImmediately following the injury of your tooth, you can do the following things to reduce pain and swelling:
   • Take Asprin or Ibuprofen: Start taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation.
   • Eat soft foods: Switch to a soft diet to avoid putting additional pressure on the injured tooth.
   Next StepsThis type of dental injury is not considered an emergency. However, it is recommended that you see your dentist within a week. The dentist will examine the tooth and take x-rays to make sure there are no internal injuries to the tooth and there is still good blood flow. Typically, a bruised tooth will heal on its own.
2. Loose Tooth (Partially Avulsed Tooth)A partially avulsed tooth is one that has been knocked partially out of its socket but is still attached. This is common with sports injuries. For instance, being hit in the mouth with a football or softball. This type of injury can cause bleeding at the base of the tooth. The pain may also prevent you from biting down and putting pressure on the tooth because it has moved or is loose. This is a more severe injury and requires prompt attention.Immediate CareImmediately following the injury of your tooth, it’s important to do the following:
   • Reposition the tooth: Gently push the tooth back into its socket by holding it by the crown (the part visible above the gum). While doing this, try to avoid touching the root of the tooth because it contains vital cells that should not be disturbed. It’s important to reposition the tooth quickly before a blood clot forms and prevents you from getting the tooth back into its rightful place.
   • Take Asprin or Ibuprofen: Start taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation.
   Next StepsThis type of dental injury is considered more urgent, and you should be seen by your dentist within a few days. During your appointment, your dentist will examine the tooth and take x-rays to make sure there are no internal injuries to the tooth. In this case, the impact could have fractured the tooth at the crown or root system. This will be apparent in the x-ray photos.Depending on the severity of the injury, your dentist may also splint the tooth using the surrounding teeth as support. This will give the tooth more time to heal on its own. Regular follow up appointments are also recommended to confirm that the tooth is healing and there is no need for a root canal.
3. Completely Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed Tooth)An avulsed tooth, or a tooth that has been completely knocked out, is a serious injury where the tooth has been fully dislodged from its socket. This type of injury can occur by falling and hitting your mouth on the ground or being struck by a foreign object. Immediate action is crucial to improve the chances of saving the tooth.Immediate CareImmediately following the loss of your tooth, it’s imperative that you take the following steps to improve the tooth’s chance of survival:
   • Pick up the tooth by the crown: If you can locate the tooth, pick it up by the crown (the part visible above the gum). Like with a partially avulsed tooth, you want to avoid touching the root because it has vital cells that should not be disturbed.
   • Gently clean the tooth with water: If the tooth is visibly dirty, you can gently rinse it with cold running water for no more than 10 seconds. Do not brush the tooth or wipe it down, and do not touch the root of the tooth. Again, the goal is to avoid disturbing the vital cells on the root of the tooth.
   • Reposition or store the tooth: Gently push the tooth back into its socket by holding it by the crown. It’s important to reposition the tooth quickly before a blood clot forms and prevents you from getting the tooth back into its rightful place. If you’re unable to this – or too uncomfortable – you can store the tooth in milk while you drive to the dentist. Do not transport the tooth dry. Milk is a neutral solution that will help keep the tooth viable.
   • See a dentist within the hour: In this scenario, you want to see your dentist as soon as possible. During your appointment, the dentist will evaluate the tooth and make sure it is in its proper place. They’ll also discuss your options based on how long the tooth has been out of the mouth and its condition. Treatment may include splinting the tooth, or a root canal if the tooth is no longer viable.
   Next StepsThis type of dental injury is considered more urgent, and you should be seen by your dentist within a few days. During your appointment, your dentist will examine the tooth and take x-rays to make sure there are no internal injuries to the tooth. In this case, the impact could have fractured the tooth at the crown or root system. This will be apparent in the x-ray photos.Depending on the severity of the injury, your dentist may also splint the tooth using the surrounding teeth as support. This will give the tooth more time to heal on its own. Regular follow up appointments are also recommended to confirm that the tooth is healing and there is no need for a root canal.

Stay Calm and Act Quickly

Whether your tooth is bruised or avulsed, it’s important to stay calm and know what to do. Dental injuries, while unpleasant, can be effectively managed with prompt and appropriate care. While treatment is determined on a case-by-case basis, our hope is this information will help you respond immediately and improve your changes of keeping the tooth.

Have you recently suffered from a dental injury? Contact our dental office to set up a consultation. We’d be happy to discuss your options and conduct the appropriate testing to assess the tooth. You can schedule an appointment online, or call us at (813) 689-4226.