An accident or trauma involving the mouth can be a scary experience. Although it is always best to discuss your dental injury with your dentist, it is helpful to know when it’s okay to wait it out and when you need to seek emergency dental care. Here are some following situations that warrant a prompt call to your dentist:

Severe Pain: If there is intense pain after a mouth injury, it needs attention. This can occur immediately or shortly after an accident. Your dentist will need to take an x-ray to determine if internal damage was done, such as a root fracture, abscess or injury to nearby teeth.

Visible Damage: The most obvious sign that you need emergency dental treatment is if you notice a tooth (or multiple teeth) that are loose, broken or discolored. If possible, place any broken portion of your tooth in milk or water in hopes of your dentist using it in repair.

Uncontrolled Bleeding: Bleeding that does not stop shortly after a mouth trauma needs to be seen. This includes bleeding (or severe pain) at the lips or gums, as they may require sutures or wound care.

While it is always better to be safe than sorry, there are times that it is okay to just watch or monitor your mouth injury and wait to see your dentist. It may not be an urgent dental situation if your tooth appears stable and there is no discoloration or persistent pain or swelling in the days following. However, always disclose any dental injury (mild or severe) with your dentist during your routine checkup. There are times when a tooth can be damaged, yet not produce symptoms for years later. If you engage in regular contact sports or adventurous activities, consider getting a custom mouthguard. This is a small investment that can protect an invaluable smile!

Posted on behalf of Dr. Sarah Thompson, Soft Touch Dentistry
Follow us on: