Nobody likes thinking about it, but sometimes the worst happens. You are playing your favorite sport and a tooth gets knocked out. You trip and loosen a tooth, or perhaps fracture it. All of these are what is known as dental traumas. They can seem scary, but here at Brookfield Oral Surgery our first-class
oral surgeon is a pro at helping you recover from a dental trauma so that your smile is even better than it was before.
What is dental trauma?
Dental trauma is a broad umbrella that covers many potential injuries to your oral health. In general, though, dental trauma involves physical injuries that can leave bruises, lacerations, broken or fractured bones, and all manner of problems with the teeth. These injuries can happen due to any number of potential activities, including accidents, sports injuries, work incidents, and vehicle accidents.
Common dental traumas
Most of the dental traumas that our oral surgeon treat involve permanent teeth. Teeth may be completely knocked out, or might be chipped, broken, fractured, or loosened. Teeth can also be pushed into the bone, potentially causing facial bone injuries that have to be treated, in addition to restoring the teeth.
What to do if you suffer a dental trauma
The most important thing to do immediately after suffering a dental trauma is to stay calm and collected, especially if the affected individual is a child. We know this is easier said than done, but staying calm is the best way to get prompt medical attention. If you have lost a tooth it is important to find and save the tooth so we can attempt to put it back in. Avoid touching the root (the bottom) of the tooth and head toward our office at once. Ideally, place the tooth in salt water, saliva, or milk. Standard water can also be used, but is not as reliable as the other options.
Treating dental traumas
Dental traumas are handled on a case-by-case basis so we can administer the best care for your unique situation. One thing to keep in mind is that we have found it is often best to handle dental trauma differently depending on whether the patient is a child or an adult. While children typically need more reassurance and comfort, dental trauma can actually be less severe for them if it is only their baby teeth that are affected. In adults, and in situations where a child’s permanent teeth are at risk, we will try all our options to save or even put the tooth back. If that is not an option, we will work closely with you to determine the replacement that is best for you. Popular options include
dental implants and bridges.
Do not wait, call today!
A dental trauma can be scary for everyone involved, but it does not have to be. With rapid, professional care, teeth can often be saved or put back in the mouth with minimal disruption to your life. If you or someone close to you has suffered a dental trauma, call Brookfield Oral Surgery at
708-680-7017 at once.
