Traumatic dental injuries affect people of all ages but are most common in children and teenagers, often caused by sports accidents, car crashes, or falls. If you experience any dental trauma, seek immediate dental evaluation—even if the injury seems minor. Prompt professional exams can identify hidden damage to the injured tooth and surrounding teeth, ensuring proper treatment and preventing complications.
It is important to understand that some dental emergencies send you to an emergency room or urgent care facility instead of to your dental office. These include any large swellings of the face, tongue, and neck due to dental infections. Because these infections can spread into areas such as the airway, bloodstream and brain, immediate antibiotic administration via IV is necessary.
Another reason you should go to the ER instead of your dentist is any cut that requires stitches or does not stop bleeding after you apply pressure with a gauze or towel.
During an injury, a tooth may be pushed sideways out of or into its socket. Our dentist will reposition and stabilize your tooth. Root canal treatment is usually needed for permanent teeth that have been dislodged and should be started a few days following the injury.
Children between seven and 12 years old may not need root canal treatment, since teeth are still developing. For those patients, our dentist will monitor the healing carefully and intervene immediately if any unfavorable changes appear.
If a tooth is completely knocked out of your mouth, time is of the essence.
-Handle the tooth very gently
-Avoid touching the root surface itself
-If it is dirty, quickly and gently rinse it in water
-Do not use soap or any other cleaning agent on the tooth
-Never scrape or brush the tooth
If possible, the tooth should be placed back into its socket as soon as possible. The less time the tooth is out of its socket, the better the chance for saving it.
Once the tooth has been put back in its socket, our dentist will evaluate it and check for any other dental or facial injuries. If the tooth has not been placed back into its socket, the dentist will clean it carefully and replace it. A stabilizing splint will be placed for a few weeks. Depending on the stage of root development, our dentist may start root canal treatment a week or two later.
Chipped primary (baby) teeth can be aesthetically restored. Dislodged primary teeth can, in rare cases, be repositioned. However, primary teeth that have been knocked out typically should not be replanted. This is because the replantation of a primary tooth may cause further and lasting damage to the underlying permanent tooth that is growing inside the bone.
Children’s permanent teeth that are not fully developed at the time of an injury need special attention and careful follow-up. Not all of them will need root canal treatment. In an immature permanent tooth, the blood supply to the tooth and the presence of stem cells in the region may enable the dentist to stimulate continued root growth.
Resorption occurs when your body, through its own defense mechanisms, begins to reject your own tooth in response to the traumatic injury. Following the injury, you should return to our dentist to have the tooth examined or treated at regular intervals to ensure that root resorption is not occurring and that surrounding tissues continue to heal.
With any traumatic dental injury, time is of the essence. Contact our dentist immediately.
For more information on traumatic dental injuries, read our blog on What to Do During a Dental Emergency.
Many people grind or clench their teeth while during the day or sleeping. If you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or notice that your teeth are wearing down or cracking, you may need a night guard. A consultation with your dentist is the best way to determine if a custom night guard could benefit you.
Preventive care is key to maintaining healthy teeth. Preventative dentistry includes things like regular at-home hygiene, exams by your dentist, oral cancer screenings, and dental x-rays. But one commonly overlooked tool for prevention is a custom night guard. Night guards are a simple yet powerful dental appliance designed to protect your teeth from damage caused by clenching or grinding while you sleep.
People who subconsciously grind or clench their teeth during sleep suffer from a condition known as bruxism, often caused by stress or tension.
Many people with bruxism only become aware of their condition once they or their dentist notice the signs. Upon waking up, you may have headaches or jaw pain. At your dental visit, your dentist may see abnormal tooth wear, shortening or flattening of teeth, cracked/ fractured teeth or fillings, or gum recession.
The best protection against bruxism is a custom-made professional night guard. A custom night guard is designed specifically for you using advanced 3D imaging technology. Made from a thin, clear acrylic material, a professional night guard provides a comfortable fit and protects your upper and lower teeth.
While a night guard won’t stop teeth grinding, it can significantly reduce its dangerous effects. By creating a barrier between your teeth, night guards prevent damage caused by grinding and reduce the pressure on your jaw muscles.
If left untreated, night time clenching and grinding can lead to serious problems with your oral health, like:
These conditions will become more severe over time and may require costly treatment to restore your oral health to proper function. A custom night guard offers long-term protection against damage or dental trauma. By preventing wear and tear on your teeth, you can save time, money, and discomfort.
Remember, preventive care is the foundation of great oral health, and a custom night guard could be the perfect step to protect your smile.
We’re here to provide personalized care so your smile stays healthy for years to come. If you may be experiencing headaches, jaw pain, or signs of tooth damage caused by clenching or grinding, please schedule an appointment with our team today.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding your dental care, we are more than happy to discuss how you can achieve a beautiful and healthy smile.
As a top dentist in Northglenn, we have helped hundreds of families achieve their oral health goals and are eager to help you and your family do the same.