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Tooth Trauma (Injury)

Does this describe your symptom?

Injuries to the teeth.

Types of Teeth Injuries

Loosened Tooth: If mild, it usually tightens up on its own (may bleed a little from the gums).

Displaced Tooth: Any tooth that has been pushed out of normal position (displaced) needs to be seen by a dentist to assess the damage. Displaced teeth that interfere with biting, chewing, or closing of the mouth need to be repositioned within 4 hours for reasons of comfort and function. Mild displacement can wait for 24 hours for assessment.

Knocked-out Tooth: This is a dental emergency. The knocked-out tooth needs to be placed back in its socket at soon as possible, ideally within one hour.

Chipped or Fractured Tooth: All chipped or fractured teeth need to seen by a dentist. A fracture that enters into the pulp (center) of a tooth is referred to as complicated; the tooth is usually painful or sensitive to hot and cold. You may be able to identify a complicated tooth fracture by noticing a small red dot or pink blush (the pulp) in the fractured area. To prevent permanent tooth damage, fractures into the pulp need to be treated within 3-4 hours.

FIRST AID: for Knocked-out Tooth

To save the tooth, it must be put back in its socket as soon as possible (2 hours is the outer limit for survival).
Use the following technique:

Rinse off the tooth with saliva or water. Do not scrub the tooth.

Replace it in the socket facing the correct way.

Press down on the tooth with your thumb until the crown is level with the adjacent tooth.

Lastly, bite down on a wad of cloth to stabilize the tooth until you can be seen by a dentist.

Transporting a Knocked-out Tooth

Follow these instructions if you are not able to put the tooth back in its socket:

It is very important to keep the tooth moist. DO NOT let it dry out.

Transport the tooth in saliva or milk.