A guide to dealing with everyday dental trauma

Youngsters’ bike falls, sporting mishaps and the common bumping of heads among children all have the potential of causing dental damage. And of course, adults also pick up mouth injuries too – some the result of falls, playing sport or a DIY or an industrial accident.

For most teeth-related problems the dentist needs to be your first call, but for more serious problems we would urge you to visit your local Accident & Emergency hospital department.

Here are some of the common problems we deal with at our Darlington Dental Clinic:

Tooth Knocked Loose

Sometimes the gums bleed, the tooth appears loose, but is in the same position as before. It’s a common occurrence and can be whether it’s a first tooth or a permanent tooth. In some cases, a dental splint (similar to a brace) will be used to help stabilise the tooth. The outcome is usually good.

Tooth Knocked Out of Position

Repositioning the tooth is desirable, preferably the  day of the accident. Again, both baby teeth and adult second teeth can be treated, but some short-term orthodontic intervention may be required. Sometimes a tooth can be pushed up into the gum. This intrudes if more than 50 per cent of the crown length (the part you normally can see) is visible. Close monitoring will be required to see if the tooth will heal in the socket. The tooth can often rectify itself.

Root Fractures

Root fractures can be serious, but with root canal treatment it is possible sometimes to save the tooth.