Tooth Injury

Symptoms

DEFINITION

• Injuries to the teeth

Types of Tooth Injuries

• Avulsion of Tooth (knocked out tooth): This is a dental emergency. A knocked out permanent tooth needs to be put back in its socket at soon as possible, ideally within minutes, and certainly within 2 hours.
• Concussion of Tooth (tooth was bumped but is not loose): This is the most common dental injury. No immediate dental care is needed. A soft diet is recommended. Rarely a concussed tooth can undergo pulpal necrosis (tooth death) days to weeks later; this can be recognized when the tooth becomes darker than the adjacent teeth.
• Crown Fracture - Complicated (cracked tooth with pulp exposure): There is usually a large piece of the tooth that is broken off. There also may be small red dot or pink blush (the pulp) in the fractured area. Typically it is quite painful and is very sensitive to air and cold liquids. To reduce pain and prevent pulpal damage, fractures into the pulp need to be treated urgently. Most of these fractures will require root canal therapy.
• Chipped Tooth (no pulp exposure): A small painless chipped tooth can wait 24-72 hours for evaluation by a dentist.
• Cracked Tooth (infraction): This is a small hairline crack of a tooth. There is a thin fracture line without any missing piece of tooth. Generally, this should be evaluated by a dentist in 24-72 hours.
• Intruded Tooth (pushed into gum): The tooth is pushed deeper into the gum and tooth socket. Generally, this should be evaluated by a dentist in 24-72 hours.
• Loosened Tooth (subluxation): If there is only mild looseness, the tooth usually tightens up on its own (may bleed a little from the gums).
• Loosened and Displaced Tooth (luxation): All need to see a dentist to assess damage. Displaced teeth that interfere with biting, chewing or closing the mouth need to be repositioned within 4 hours for reasons of comfort and function. Mild displacement deserves evaluation within 24 hours.

FIRST AID Advice for Knocked-out Tooth

To save the tooth, it must be put back in its socket as soon as possible (2 hours is the maximum limit for survival). Use the following technique:

• Rinse off the tooth with saliva or water. Do not scrub the tooth.
• Replace it in the socket facing the correct way.
• Press down on the tooth with your thumb until the crown is level with the adjacent tooth.
• Lastly, bite down on a wad of cloth to stabilize the tooth until you can be seen by a dentist.

Transporting a Knocked-out Tooth - Follow these instructions if you are not able to put the tooth back in its socket:

• It is very important to keep the tooth moist. Do not let it dry out.
• Transport the tooth in saliva or milk.

Should I Call?

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Care at Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MINOR TOOTH INJURIES

1. Local Cold: For pain, apply a piece of ice or a Popsicle to the injured gum area for 20 minutes.
2. Pain Medicines:
   • For pain relief, take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen.
   • Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol):
     • Take 650 mg by mouth every 4-6 hours. Each Regular Strength Tylenol pill has 325 mg of acetaminophen.
     • Another choice is to take 1,000 mg every 8 hours. Each Extra Strength Tylenol pill has 500 mg of acetaminophen.
     • The most you should take each day is 3,000 mg.

   • Ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin, Advil):

     • Take 400 mg by mouth every 6 hours

     • Another choice is to take or 600 mg by mouth every 8 hours.

     • Use the lowest amount that makes your pain feel better.

   • Naproxen (e.g., Aleve)

     • Take 250-500 mg by mouth every 12 hours.

     • Use the lowest amount that makes your pain feel better.

   • Extra Notes

     • Acetaminophen is thought to be safer than ibuprofen or naproxen in people over 65 years old. Acetaminophen is in many OTC and prescription medicines. It might be in more than one medicine that you are taking. You need to be careful and not take an overdose. An overdose can hurt the liver.

     • Before taking any medicine, read all the instructions on the package.

3. Soft Diet: If you have any loose teeth, eat a soft diet for 3 days. After 3 days, they should be tightening up.
4. Call Your Dentist If:
   • Pain becomes severe
   • Tooth becomes sensitive to hot or cold fluids
   • Tooth becomes a darker color
   • You become worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Photo Example