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Traumatic dental injuries happen. And the really don’t discriminate. They impact people of all ages and all levels of activity. An auto accident, a collision on the court or field, even a simple fall can cause a significant dental injury.
The main goal of the team at Steven Leach Dental is treating dental injuries in a way that minimizes tooth loss and restores oral health to full functionality and appearance. And in treating dental injury, the biggest difference maker is speedy treatment.
Below are some tips on how to prevent dental injuries, and what to do if you experience one.
It pretty much goes without saying (but we will anyway): sports are pretty popular.According to a recent study, High School sports participation has been on the rise for the last 25 years. And with that participation comes the risk of injury.
A significant percentage of sports injuries are dental in nature. Yet many of those injuries are entirely preventable. A quality mouth guard can help protect against a wide variety of dental injuries. And when you compare the cost a decent mouthguard to the estimate $20,000 it costs over the lifetime of a replaced tooth, the mouthguard is one of the simplest and most economical investments you can make. Some studies have shown that a good mouthguard reduces the risk of a sports-related dental injury by a factor of 60!
Steven Leach Dental can offer you the best in mouthguard technology. In the office, Dr. Leach’s team can custom fit the guard to your teeth. It’s a strong, light, durable device that will fit your teeth like a glove. Ask Dr. Leach about a mouthguard if you or your children are active in sports.
According to the American Association of Endodontists, chipped teeth are the most common kind of dental injury. A chipped or fractured tooth, or one that is loose or tender to the touch should be seen by a dentist within 12 hours. Contact Steven Leach Dental as soon as possible if you’ve chipped a tooth!
If possible, try to find as many pieces of the tooth that have come off. Dr. Leach’s team may be able to reattach them to as they repair the tooth.
When a permanent tooth has been avulsed (knocked out) you should seek immediate care.
The first order of business is to recover the tooth. If it’s dirty, clean it with water Avoid touching the root.
Then, if possible, place the tooth back into the socket, making sure to orient it correctly. Apply stedy, gently pressure for five minutes, using wet tissue or gause to hold the tooth in place.
Emergency dental treatment is imperative at this point.
If teeth are driven into or pushed partially out of the jaw, or if they are out of alignment, the patient should see a dentist or oral surgeon within six hours of the accident. A careful examination of the mouth (plus x-rays if needed) should reveal the extent of the damage, and indicate what restorative treatments are likely to be required.
In addition to the teeth, dental injuries often involve damage to the gums, the tongue, and the inside of the mouth. When these soft-tissue injuries occur, it’s best to take the following immediate actions, and then see a dentist as soon as possible: Wash and rinse the area with soap and water if possible, or remove debris and foreign material by hand. Bleeding can usually be controlled by applying direct, gentle pressure to gauze pads placed on the wound. If it can’t be controlled after about 10 minutes, go to an emergency room.
Don’t hesitate to call the dental office for more specific information about handling a traumatic dental injury.