| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | Trauma to one or more teeth and/or the supporting structures of the teeth in the jaw.
|
| Alternative Names | Broken teeth; Lost teeth; Tooth knocked out |
| Considerations | Permanent teeth which are knocked out can sometimes be reimplanted, so if you can find them after the accident or injury, bring them with you when you seek medical or dental treatment for the problem. |
| Causes | The following are examples of causes of tooth accidents: accidental falls sports related trauma fighting car accidents biting on hard food |
| Symptoms | Loss of tooth Localized pain and swelling |
| First Aid | Save any permanent tooth that has been knocked out for possible reimplantation. If a baby tooth has been knocked out, it may also be reimplanted in some cases. Teeth that have been knocked out should be brought to the dentist as soon as possible. The longer a patient waits, the less chance there is for successful reimplantation. Handle the tooth by the crown only (the chewing edge, not the roots). Avoid scraping the root of the tooth to remove dirt. Gently rinse the tooth in tap water, but not under the faucet. Try to replace the tooth in the socket, to the level of adjacent teeth. Bite down gently on gauze or a wet tea bag to help keep it in place. The surrounding teeth can be used as anchors to create a temporary bridge or cap. Certain types of putty or melted paraffin (candle wax) mixed with a few strands of cotton will serve this purpose. If the tooth cannot be replaced in the socket, the best storage solution is to place the tooth in 0.9% salt solution, accompanied by a cushion for protection. The Save-A-Tooth storage device (which can be purchased at many pharmacies) is recommended. If necessary, the tooth can be placed in a container and covered with a small amount of whole milk or your own saliva. A tooth can also be rinsed and carried by the victim between the lower lip and lower gum. Apply a cold compress to the mouth and gums for pain. Apply direct pressure to control bleeding. Get dental help immediately. The sooner dental attention is received, the better the chances are for successful reimplantation. If a tooth has only been chipped or fractured, then immedicate dental attention may or may not be necessary. Teeth that have been badly fractured may result in exposure of nerve tissue inside the tooth. In this case, more immediate attention will be needed to avoid infection, abscess, and pain. Simple chips and/or fractures may be tended to on a non-emergency basis, but should still be fixed in order to avoid sharp edges which can cut the lips or tongue and also for esthetic reasons. |
| Do Not | Do not handle the roots of a tooth which has come out of your mouth. Handle only the chewing edge or what is known as the crown portion of the tooth. |
| Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if | See a dentist immediately if a permanent tooth has been knocked out, or if a tooth has been partially fractured and pain and swelling results. In the case of simple tooth fractures, a dental appointment can be made more on a non-emergency basis. If, after a traumatic event, such as a car accident or a bad fall, the patient is not able to close properly and bring his or her teeth together, the jaw may be broken. This requires immediate dental and medical attention. The patient may call his or her dentist, but should seek help in a hospital. |
| Prevention | Wear a mouth guard (mouth piece) when playing any contact sport Avoid fights (if possible) Avoid hard foods such as bones, stale bread, tough bagels, etc. Always wear a seatbelt |
| | |