Dental Trauma

One or more of your teeth have been damaged. If the surface of the tooth is chipped, your dentist should be able to smooth or repair it with a filling or cap. Make an appointment when you can.

If the tooth is broken off and is sensitive to hot or cold, it's important to see a dentist or oral surgeon as soon as you can for evaluation and treatment.

If the tooth is pushed out of place, the tooth socket (bone) has a break in it. You must be seen as soon as possible by your dentist or oral surgeon. They may be able to put the tooth back in alignment and splint it, if this was not already done by your doctor. This will hold the tooth in place.

If the tooth is knocked out, your dentist may be able to put it back into the socket, if this was not already done by your doctor. Hold the tooth by the crown (eating surface). Rinse it off if it's dirty, and reposition it into the socket by gently biting down. If this isn't possible, place it between your cheek and gums in milk to keep it moist. See your dentist or oral surgeon right away They will put a splint or brace on the tooth to hold it in place. The tooth may reattach and stay in place for months or years. But it may not be the same as a normal tooth. It may discolor or need a root canal to preserve it.

Not all teeth that have been knocked out can be put back in place. If that's the case, put pressure on the socket with a clean, folded gauze pad or cotton swab to prevent bleeding. See your dentist or oral surgeon as soon as you can for further evaluation.

Follow these tips when caring for yourself at home.

• Unless a splint is applied to your tooth, bite on a clean, folded gauze pad or cotton swab to apply pressure to the tooth. This will help keep it in place until your dentist or oral surgeon sees you.
• Don't have very hot or very cold foods and drinks. Your tooth may be sensitive to temperature changes.
• Don't chew on the side of the injured tooth.
• Put a cold pack on your jaw over the sore area to help ease pain. To make your own cold pack, put ice cubes in a bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a thin towel. Don't put the ice directly on your skin. Doing so can damage the skin.
• You may use over-the-counter medicine to ease pain unless another medicine is prescribed. If you have chronic liver or kidney disease, a stomach ulcer, or digestive bleeding, talk with your doctor before using acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Follow up with your dentist or an oral surgeon as advised.

Call 911 right away if you have:

• Trouble swallowing or breathing.
• Bleeding from the tooth socket or gum that you can't control with pressure.

Contact your doctor or dentist or get medical care right away if:

• Your face gets swollen or red.
• Your pain gets worse.
• You have a fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as advised by your doctor.