Dental Trauma in Adults

Dental trauma in adults is most common amongst males. The most common reasons of dental trauma are sports related injuries and injuries due to alcohol related violence.

Here is some advice on first aid for dental trauma in adults

– Check for serious injury to other areas of the head and neck region.
– Control the bleeding of any sites by applying pressure to the area with a clean cloth.
– Apply wrapped ice to the outer area of the face to relieve pain and swelling.
– Call to seek your dentist’s advice immediately.
– For some time after, check for swelling, pain, fever and difficulty eating. There is risk of infection. If this occurs return to the dentist.

If a tooth is knocked out

-DO NOT attempt to place the tooth back in place.
– If you are able to find the tooth, store it in milk and immediately see your dentist or hospital emergency department.
– When handling the tooth, try to avoid touching the root area of the tooth.
– The dentist may be able to reinsert the tooth back into place and stabilise it against the teeth next door.
– Ongoing monitoring and review of the tooth will be required as there is risk of infection.

If a tooth has been fractured

– Attempt to find the tooth fragment that has chipped off.
– Visit the dentist as soon as possible.
– If the fracture is only in tooth structure (enamel and dentine) the dentist may be able to bond the tooth fragment back on. Alternatively they can place a composite filling to repair the fracture.
– If the fracture reaches the nerve of the tooth, root canal therapy will need to be commenced.
– Ongoing monitoring and review of the tooth will be required.

If a tooth has been displaced

– Do not attempt to reposition the tooth. Avoid biting on that tooth if at all possible.
– Visit the dentist as soon as possible.
– If there is major displacement the dentist may attempt to reposition the tooth and stabilise the tooth against the teeth next door.
– Depending on how the tooth was moved, there is risk of tooth infection and pain. Ongoing monitoring and review of the tooth will be required.
– If the tooth does become infected root canal therapy may be needed.

With any type of dental trauma it is very important to have regular monitoring and review of the area. Please do not hesitate to call the dental surgery if you need any further information.