Creating Smiles for Life Since 1969

Creating Smiles for Life Since 1969

Dental trauma and emergency care

Dental trauma, or injuries to the teeth, gums, or jaw, can be a frightening experience. Whether it’s a knocked-out tooth, chipped tooth, or severe jaw pain, seeking immediate dental care is essential. This article will provide information on various types of dental trauma, symptoms, and emergency care steps.

Exploring Dental Trauma

A variety of injuries can impact the teeth, gums, and jaw, falling under the category of dental trauma. Examples of dental trauma often involve:

  • Avulsion: A complete displacement of the tooth from its socket.
    Intrusion: The tooth is forced inward into the gum.
  • Extrusion: The tooth is pushed out of its socket.
  • Luxation: The tooth is loosened but remains in its socket.
  • Fracture: The tooth can break entirely or partially, resulting in a fracture. Accidents, sports injuries, falls, or physical assaults can cause these types of injuries. It’s important to seek timely and proper treatment to save the affected tooth and avoid additional complications.

Symptoms of Dental Trauma

Symptoms of dental trauma vary depending on the severity of the injury.

Common signs and symptoms include

  • Severe pain
  • Bleeding from the mouth
  • Swelling of the face or gums
  • Difficulty opening the mouth
  • Loose or displaced teeth
  • Chipped or broken teeth


If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential to contact a dentist immediately.

Dental Care Emergency

Time is of the essence when dealing with dental trauma. Here are some general guidelines for emergency care:

  • Stay calm: Evaluate the circumstances and prioritize the patient’s safety.
  • Manage the bleeding: Use a clean cloth to pressure the injured area gently.
  • Save the tooth: Carefully hold a knocked-out tooth by the chewing surface (the crown) and rinse it gently with water.
  • Do not scrub or clean it.
  • The tooth should be placed in a container filled with either milk or saline solution.
  • Bite down on a gauze pad: This can help control bleeding and stabilize the injured area.
  • Seek immediate dental attention: Contact your dentist or an emergency dental clinic immediately.

While it’s not possible to eliminate all risks, Reducing the likelihood of dental injuries is possible through taking specific steps:

  • Wear mouthguards during sports activities.
  • Use caution when chewing complex objects.
  • Teach children the importance of wearing helmets when biking, skating, or playing sports.
  • Regular dental visits can help spot any problems before they cause harm.

FAQs About Dental Trauma and Emergency Care

Baby teeth typically do not require reinsertion. However, it’s important to gently cleanse the area with a soft cloth and watch for signs of infection.
If the tooth is handled correctly and reimplanted quickly, it can be saved.
The sooner the tooth is reimplanted, the better the chances of survival. Ideally, it should be reimplanted within an hour.
Long-term effects can include tooth loss, infection, bite problems, and damage to the jaw.
Dental insurance coverage for trauma varies. It’s essential to check your policy for details.

Explore our other related emergency procedures – Loose or Knocked Out Tooth Reimplantation and Fractured Tooth Restoration.

Request a Callback

Make an Appointment

error: Content is protected !!