The Effects of Oral Trauma and Treatment Options

While we all face accidents in our lifetime, some of them may have more prolonged effects than others. Sometimes we don't feel the intensity of the impact until we notice changes in our facial structures. Oral trauma in Denton means damage to your teeth, gums, mouth, jaw, tongue, inner cheeks, and the surrounding tissues of your oral cavity.  

Whether you undergo a sporting accident, hit your face with the corner of the wall, or get into a car accident, it's best to contact your dentist to check your mouth for any issues with your oral structures. Doing this can ensure that you won't face unnecessary dental problems in the future that have already blown out of proportion.  

This article will discuss what may happen when you experience facial trauma and what you can do to treat them.  

Facial Trauma and How to Treat Its Effects  

Tooth Luxation  

One common effect of facial trauma is tooth luxation. It happens when the tooth becomes dislodged or loosens from its socket. Usually accompanied by bruising and inflammation, this situation requires immediate attention because it may cause the tooth to die. When a tooth becomes loose, there is a tendency that the pulp's nerves that supply blood to the teeth may also be damaged and inflamed.  

What to Do:  

It's best to rush to your emergency dentist when this happens. Try to reposition the tooth back to its socket and hold it until you reach your dentist's office. Be sure to clean your hands before touching the tooth to avoid infections. Your dentist will assess the situation through a quick dental checkup. If needed, they will use local anesthesia before placing your loose tooth back in its place.  

They will stabilize it using a dental splint. The dentist will also ask you to rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash to prevent infections and inspect your root canal for any damage or inflammation.  

Lastly, your dental care provider will schedule another visit in two weeks to check if the tooth is functioning normally again. Otherwise, you may have to undergo a root canal procedure or tooth extraction and a replacement with a dental implant.  

Knocked-Out Teeth  

Sometimes the impact can be so bad, causing your teeth to get knocked out. This scenario only allows you a narrow window to rush to your dentist and have your teeth saved. You can place the knocked-out tooth in a glass of milk as a first aid response. It will moisten the tooth and extend its lifespan for a little more while. You may also try to put the tooth back in its socket and hold it together while waiting for your dentist to have a look at it.  

Delaying the response during this situation may cause the tooth's nerves to die, making it impossible to save it.  

What to Do:  

If you have the knocked-out tooth with you, there's a chance that your dentist can connect it again to its roots, allowing the tooth to regrow. However, even if you can't find the knocked-out tooth anymore, dentists still recommend that you see them.  

Your dentist can check your mouth and disinfect it to prevent infection during your visit. Remember that when a tooth is removed from its position, it leaves an open space behind. This space can be an opening for harmful bacteria to enter and cause harm.  

Your dentist may also request a root canal procedure to clean the pulp, fill the tooth with a resin material, and close it off with a dental crown. On the other hand, if the delay takes too long, the tooth may have to be removed entirely and replaced with a fake tooth.  

Broken Crown  

Your dental crown covers your tooth to restore its appearance, function, and strength. When a facial trauma happens, your dental crown may fracture or break. As a result, it will expose the tooth to harmful bacteria and may cause oral infections.  

What to Do:  

Your dentist will have to assess the situation first to see what they need to do. The typical process of getting a new dental crown entails two separate visits, but because of recent dental improvements, you can have one placed in just a single visit.  

Broken Orthodontics  

When you wear braces and get into an accident, the wires or metal brackets may be damaged. This scenario may cause wires to pop, which can poke your oral tissues if left unattended.  

What to Do:  

Do not try to fix this issue at home. Broken wires require your dentist's expertise so they can either replace the wire or put it back in its position.  

Know What to Do When You Experience Oral Trauma in Denton?  

Although some facial traumas are not severe and can be treated at home, it's best to visit your dentist instead to be sure. By doing so, you know that your oral health is given optimum care and attention. At Texas Oral Surgery Group, our dentists are skilled and experienced in detecting irregularities in the mouth following facial trauma. Don't hesitate to visit us to make an appointment.