Dental Trauma Spokane, WA
Dental trauma refers to injury that happens to the mouth, such as teeth that have been broken, knocked out, or dislodged. It also refers to injury that can happen to the gums that cause excessive bleeding and other injuries. At East Lyme Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery we provide treatment for those who go through these horrific events. We will be explaining the common injuries that people can face and how they are treated.
Dental Trauma Scenarios
Injuries can happen when you least expect them and it is important to ensure that action is taken once the injury has occurred. We recommend keeping an emergency dental kit at home containing crucial items such as gauze, alcohol wipes, dental wax, and a small flashlight, in the event that either someone else or yourself experiences dental trauma. We are open for dental emergencies, but it is also important that the victim have immediate help to stop bleeding and cover the sharp points from broken teeth. Here are a few examples of dental trauma incidents that are relatively common.
Fractured Teeth
A fractured tooth means it is chipped or severely cracked. This can happen when a bad fall occurs or something hits the teeth at high speeds, such as a struck hockey puck. This can also happen when biting down on food that is extremely hard - we have had incidents of this occurring to those who like to eat ice cubes which is why we strongly recommend not doing it! Fractured teeth are considered a dental emergency for serious injuries and digital x-rays may be used. It is always best to use your best judgment and call us if you feel you or someone else needs treatment as soon as possible.
Lost Teeth
Losing teeth is never fun, but this is a surprisingly common scenario. While the teeth are resilient, they can get knocked out if the impact is hard enough. This can happen during a car accident, and like fractured teeth, it can also happen during sports quite easily - even during sports you wouldn’t think of such things occurring such as basketball. This is why a mouthguard is recommended or even enforced for a lot of sports. If a tooth has been knocked out, it can potentially be saved by bringing it to us stored in milk. It can generally be replanted if it is brought back within an hour of the accident occurring. Other options include dental implant surgery.
Gum Trauma
If a heavy blow creates a wound in the gums or something gets lodged in them, it is gum trauma. This can happen for the same reasons as fractured teeth or loss of teeth - car accidents, bad falls, physical altercations, and flying debris are all common scenarios where gum trauma occurs. If the bleeding fails to stop after long term pressure is applied, it is best to call us and come in for emergency treatment. This also applies to objects that are lodged deeply into the gums. Do not try to remove the object yourself as the situation might become even worse.
At East Lyme Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery we are here for your emergency care. If you ever need us during frightening situations, have questions, or would like to make an appointment with us, you can call our office at (860) 934-7809. |