Preventing Tooth Loss after Oral Injury
An oral injury can strike at any time and often leads to serious dental damage, like chipped or fractured teeth, or even tooth loss. Restorative dentistry treatments are available to treat dental damage caused by oral injuries. In some cases, tooth loss may be prevented after an oral injury by taking the right course of action and scheduling an emergency dental appointment. For personalized tips on how to protect your smile from oral injury and tooth loss, schedule a consultation with Lake Jackson, TX dentists Brian Bell and Justin Crocker. In the meantime, read on to learn more about oral injury and tooth loss.
The Causes of Oral Injury
Although it may not always be possible to prevent an oral injury, understanding the possible causes can help you take precautions. Some of the most common causes of oral injuries include:
- Sports-related injuries
- Falling
- Taking a hit to the face
- An automobile accident
- A motorcycle accident
- A bicycling, rollerblading, or skateboarding accident
- Teeth grinding
Preventing Oral Injuries
Many oral injuries happen unexpectedly and without warning, making them difficult to prevent. However, there are ways to protect your smile from oral injuries, such as:
- Wear a mouth guard: Wearing a mouth guard when playing sports or other athletic activities, like skateboarding, can help protect the teeth from injury.
- Wear a seatbelt: Wearing a seatbelt when in an automobile may help prevent oral injuries and may even be life saving.
- Seek treatment for teeth grinding: Teeth grinding can lead to dental fractures, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Seeking treatment for teeth grinding as early as possible can help prevent dental damage and protect the smile.
Preventing Tooth Loss after an Oral Injury
Tooth loss is a major concern following an oral injury. Even if an oral injury does not cause immediate tooth loss, leaving any dental damage untreated can eventually lead to tooth decay or tooth loss. Seeking dental treatment, regardless of the severity of an oral injury, can help protect oral health. If a tooth becomes lost or dislodged after an oral injury, it may be possible to save the tooth from permanent loss by quickly taking the following actions:
- Find the tooth if it was knocked out of the mouth
- Carefully pick up the tooth by the crown and avoid touching the roots
- Clean the tooth by rinsing it in milk or a saline solution made of salt and water
- Do not dry the tooth or let it dry out
- Carefully place the tooth back into its socket within the gums
- Bite down on a clean, soft cloth or gauze to apply light pressure to the tooth and help keep it in place
- Contact your dentist immediately to schedule an emergency appointment
Discover Your Treatment Options
There are many treatments available to restore a smile damaged by oral injury. To learn more about your treatment options, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with Drs. Bell or Crocker.