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Teeth Accidents - What to do when they occur

 

 

Prevent accidents first. . . …but, know what to do when they do occur

What if you and some friends were playing an informal game of basketball and one of your friends was struck down by a hard jab to the mouth? Could you help? What if you were the one to fall face down, only to find you were bleeding and had lost a tooth? Would anyone with you know basic first aid?

Fractured/Broken tooth

  • Find the broken piece, store in water or milk.
  • See a dentist within 24 hours – they may be able to reattach the broken piece of tooth.
  • Take analgesics for pain.

Displaced tooth

  • See your dentist immediately.
  • If the tooth is extruded (hangs down) try to re-position the tooth.

Knocked out tooth

  • See your dentist immediately – time is essential!
  • For best results, reimplantation should be done within 5 – 10 minutes.
  • Upon locating the tooth, hold it by the crown (the wide part, not the pointed end/root).
  • Rinse the tooth but avoid rubbing it or touching the root.
  • Put the tooth back in its socket; cover with gauze or tissue and bite down to stabilize it. Or, briefly store the tooth in cold milk. Alternatively, spit in a cup and place the tooth in the cup.
  • Do not let the tooth dry out. A tooth can usually be saved if cared for properly and reimplanted within an hour.

Head and neck injury

  • Do not let the injured person be moved unless by professionals or if in danger.
  • Immobilize the head by placing rolled towels on either side
  • Keep the injured person warm to avoid the risk of shock.
  • If unconscious, clear the person’s mouth and hold their tongue forward to maintain an open airway. Seek emergency care.

Facial cuts

• Cover the wound with a clean dressing and apply pressure.
• Dressing may become saturated; do not remove it. Apply more dressing and pressure.
• Go to a nearby hospital for emergency assistance.

Cuts inside of the mouth

• Gently rinse the mouth with cold water.
• Bite on some gauze, a clean cloth or tissue
and apply pressure to the wound.
• Go to the closest hospital emergency
department for immediate treatment.

Jaw injury

The U-shaped lower jaw often suffers multiple breaks. An upper jaw fracture may cause visible distortion of the face. If teeth fit together properly when the mouth is closed:
  • Apply ice to control swelling and take ibuprofen or a similar remedy to control pain.
  • Restrict diet to soft foods and if no improvement occurs within 24 hours, seek dental care. If teeth do not fit together properly when the mouth is closed:
  • Immediately seek emergency care.
  • Gently align the jaws.
  • Immobilize the jaw; wrap a cloth bandage under the chin and secure it over the head.
  • Apply ice to control swelling.

Broken nose

  • Gently pack the nose with gauze or tissue.
  • Apply ice. Do not blow nose.