signs of dental trauma

Common Symptoms of Dental Trauma

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Dental trauma occurs when something impactful affects the inside of the mouth, lips, teeth, gums, tongue or jawbone. Most often, your dentist in Thornton sees dental trauma after a physical incident, such as a sports injury, vehicle accident, human physical altercation or a fall. Dental trauma can be very serious and should always be attended to by a dentist. However, sometimes dental trauma isn’t obvious. In that case, it can go untreated and quickly develop into something even more serious. Here are some common signs of dental trauma.

Fractures

Following an incident of some kind, a fracture may develop in a tooth or jawbone. Fractures can be so small that they can only be seen with an x-ray. They also vary as to the depth that they occur. Superficial fractures may occur on the surface of the teeth or bone and cause little trouble. But deeper fractures can make the tooth more vulnerable to bacteria, easily breakable and more sensitive to heat or cold. If you suddenly have one or more sensitive teeth after an incident, chances are you may have fractured a tooth. Deep fractures in the jawbone can lead to TMJ and other serious problems, including tooth loss.

Tooth Displacement

Another common symptom of dental trauma may be a loose tooth or a permanent tooth that’s been knocked out of its socket. These are both situations where you’ll need to see a dentist right away. Loose teeth from dental trauma can often be saved by your Thornton dentist, but you need to make an appointment as soon as possible. Even a tooth that’s been knocked out as a small chance of being saved, and if you contact your dentist immediately.

Earache and Vertigo

Patients are often surprised to discover that their sudden painful earache is the result of dental trauma along the jawbone. Anytime the jawbone is injured, the ear may be affected. You may even have vertigo, since the ear is primarily responsible for balance and equilibrium. Don’t ignore an earache or dizziness, especially if it occurs soon after an incident.

Your mouth and jaw are not meant to be hit. Your teeth, especially, are not well-protected against physical trauma. Anytime you experience an incident and suspect dental trauma, contact your dentist for a thorough exam.

 

Oh No! A Broken Tooth! How to React During Major Dental Trauma

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A fall, a car accident, a sudden blow to the mouth—all of these situations can lead to a broken tooth, and it can definitely be a scary situation. Whether your tooth is cracked, broken, chipped, or completely knocked out, it is critical that you get to a dentist right away for help. Here is a quick look at a few things to keep in mind during these worrisome events.

You should rinse out your mouth and tend to any bleeding.

If you have debris in your mouth, go ahead and get a glass of warm water and gently swirl it around your mouth. Spit the water into another glass just in case there are bits of your broken tooth you need to try to save to show the dentist. Once you have rinsed your mouth, check to see if your mouth is bleeding. If a tooth has been completely knocked out of place, you are bound to see a bit of blood. Gently applying pressure to the bleeding area with clean gauze can help stop the bleeding.

Protect the exposed area where the tooth has been broken.

The area where the tooth has broken must be carefully protected. Avoid putting any more pressure on the damaged tooth when you speak, move your lips, or bite down. Doing so may cause further damage to either the tooth or the soft tissue supporting the tooth. It is best not to eat or drink anything until you can get to the dentist for advice.

Take over-the-counter medication for pain.

You may have some sensitivity if the break has exposed a nerve in the tooth. However, a broken tooth can be painful due to trauma to the soft tissues in your mouth. Even if you are not feeling much pain, go ahead and take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Ibuprofen may help to reduce inflammation in addition to offering pain relief. You can also cover the tooth with clean gauze to keep airflow away.

Reach Out to an Emergency Dentist in Thornton

A broken or damaged tooth does not have to mean permanent damage to your smile or self-confidence. If you have a dental emergency, reach out to us at Colorado Root Canal Specialist in Thornton, CO to get an appointment.