Injuries that affect the mouth may consist of avulsed or knocked out teeth, teeth that are loosened or extruded and forced out of their normal position or fractured teeth. Additionally, cheeks, gums or lips are vulnerable to being cut. An oral injury is usually painful and needs to be treated by a qualified dentist in a timely manner.

Seeing a Dentist

It is important to see a dentist immediately in an emergency situation. Accessing a dentist within a short period of time makes a significant difference between losing and saving a tooth.

Knocked Out Tooth

When a tooth has been knocked, the following steps are vital:

·        Call your dentist immediately and set up an emergency appointment.

·     The tooth should be handled by the crown rather than the root. The area of the tooth that is below the gum is known as the root and touching it can damage the cells that are required to reattach the bone.

·       Rinse the affected tooth in water gently to remove dirt and avoid scrubbing.

·      If possible, you can place the tooth gently in the socket to retain moisture. It is essential to ensure that the clean tooth does not dry out. If storing the tooth in the mouth is not possible to wrap it in a clean gauze or cloth and immerse in saliva or milk.

Pushed Out Tooth

Make an effort to restore the position of the tooth with minimal finger pressure while making sure that you are not forcing the tooth. To prevent the tooth from continually moving, bite down. Find an emergency dentist on the Sunshine Coast here.

Fractured Tooth

Use warm water to rinse the tooth. Use a cold compress or ice pack to minimize swelling. Ibuprofen can be used for pain. Get to the dentist immediately to find out the treatment that will be given according to how extensively the tooth has been broken. A dentist can determine how severe the break actually is.

Different Fractures

·       A dentist can smooth a minor fracture. The other option is composite restoration. Regardless of what the situation may be the tooth should be handled carefully for several days.

·     A moderate fracture may include damage to the pulp, dentin or enamel. If no permanent damage occurs to the pulp, a complete permanent crown can be used to restore the tooth. A damaged pulp requires further dental care and treatment.

·       A severe fracture usually refers to a tooth that has been traumatized with slimmer chances of recovery.

Tissue Injuries

Injuries inside the mouth include lacerations to the tongue, lips or cheek, puncture wounds, and tears. Warm water should be used to clean wounds immediately and the injured individual needs to be taken to the clinic or hospital for the required care. You can reduce bleeding that occurs from a tongue laceration by placing gauze on the area to ease the pressure.

Prevention

Several dental emergencies are avoidable through routine dental checkups that make sure your teeth and mouth are strong, healthy and decay-free. During sports activities, a mouth guard can be worn to prevent teeth from being broken, knocked out or chipped. Avoid the habit of chewing on extremely hard food items and ice that can fracture or break your teeth.