Despite your teeth being extremely strong, injuries can still occur. The damage can be exacerbated if you have poor oral health. Tooth decay, gum disease, and traumatic injuries can dramatically impact your oral health. They can even lead to tooth loss if left untreated. While you can’t completely avoid common dental injuries, you can maintain your oral health to minimize the amount of damage.
Common Dental Injuries
Dental injuries can impact anyone as accidents happen. The good news is that most injuries can be effectively treated. If you experience a dental injury, contact a dental professional right away for instructions on how to take care of the issue. Below you will find the most common dental injuries.
Chipped or Fractured:
A chip or fracture occurs when part of your tooth has been broken. With this injury, the root of your tooth is still firmly in your mouth. Small chips or fractures can be addressed with a filling as it can fill in the missing portion. If the pieces of your tooth are larger, a dental crown may be necessary. Sometimes a chip or fracture can impact the pulp of your tooth (the innermost portion) without severely damaging the root. In this case, a root canal may be necessary to prevent an infection. A root canal can also help reduce your pain.
Dislocated:
Teeth can also become dislocated in your socket. Sometimes this occurs during high-impact injuries. The impact can move your tooth in the socket. This requires treatment as the tooth needs to be repositioned and possibly stabilized. If the tooth needs to be stabilized, it is often done by splinting the tooth to the surrounding teeth. Depending on the severity, this type of injury may also require a root canal.
Knocked Out:
Sometimes your knocked out tooth can be salvaged. It is necessary that you act quickly in these cases as you only have about five minutes. If you have the knocked-out tooth, rinse it with cold clean water and avoid touching the root. This helps reduce your risk for infection. Try and gently place the tooth back into the socket. It is important to be patient and avoid further damage.
If you can’t get your tooth back in the socket, place it in a clean container with milk. You can also use the injured person’s saliva to cover the tooth. This helps prevent it from drying out until you are able to get treatment from an emergency dentist in Cedar Rapids. Getting treated as soon as possible is important as it increases your chances of being able to keep your natural tooth. If possible, the dentist will reposition the tooth into your mouth. They will also take measures to protect your tooth and your overall oral health as injuries can increase your risk for infection.
Emergency Dentist
Some dental injuries require emergency dentistry services. It’s better to be safe as an emergency dentist can potentially save your natural tooth, reduce your risk for infection, and ensure that your oral health stays on track despite your injury. Below are some of the common signs you need to call an emergency dentist for a same-day appointment.
- Severe pain in your teeth, gums, or jaw
- Bleeding from your gums or around your teeth
- Increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods or beverages
- Discoloration in your teeth or gums
- Visible damage to your teeth or gums
Avoid waiting if you have a dental emergency and contact an emergency dentist in Cedar Rapids. The team at Rapids Dental have helped countless patients recover from their dental injuries. It is better to be safe if you experience a dental injury due to the serious risks associated with oral injuries.