As every parent knows, accidents happen despite our best efforts. However, when it comes to oral injuries, we are all susceptible, whether due to athletics, changing seasons, or bad luck. Fortunately, quick thinking can make a big difference in the healing process. The most common oral injury is a broken or chipped tooth.
Awareness regarding the most common causes of oral injuries will help reduce (or eliminate) a variety of risk factors. Learn some simple “dos” and “don’t” for the prevention and treatment of oral injuries.
Common causes of oral injuries
- Sports – Chipped and broken teeth are frequent sports injuries, as are lip and cheek damage, and fractured jaws. A mouthguard is the most important preventative tool for oral injuries. The frequency of loss is drastically reduced when mouth guards are in place. A recent study of high school athletes revealed that seventy-five percent of injuries occurred due to mouth guards not being worn.
- Trips and Falls – Falls are most common during the winter months and inclement weather. The risk of injury from a fall is higher for children and the elderly, but even the most sure-footed among us can slip on a tricky patch of ice or an uneven sidewalk.
Falls happen even within the relative safety of your home. Falling in the shower is a common accident, and the proximity of faucets and hard surfaces make oral injury a likely result in this scenario. Be sure to install slip-proof mats in bathtubs, and on bathroom floors.
- Blunt-force Trauma – In most cases, blunt-force impact to the mouth is accidental. Sports equipment (baseballs, pucks, hockey sticks), and glass or metal bottles are frequent culprits. Even a pet or toddler bouncing onto your lap can result in oral injury.
Any blow to the mouth could result in breakage or lacerations. Sometimes the damage is only revealed days later, in the form of invisible root damage below the gum line. After any significant impact to the mouth, consult with a dentist to make sure there was no unseen damage done.
Hard Foods – Crunchy or brittle foods can lead to broken teeth, particularly if teeth are already vulnerable due to decay, gum disease, or a previous injury. Biting down on a popcorn kernel or an olive pit (even a fingernail!) can cause breakage. Hard candies are a common cause of chipped teeth. Chewing on ice can also be risky; ice’s hard surface can leave tiny fractures in molars.
Preventative Steps for Parents
In children, the majority of oral injuries occur between the ages of two and five. At this age, falls are more likely to result in a head-first impact. After age five, boys are more likely than girls to get injured because of their increasingly active play, and their participation in “contact” sports.
Since hard candy can be problematic for teeth, parents should exercise caution during celebrations such as Halloween and Easter. To avoid tooth damage from a blow to the face, discourage children from walking while drinking from a bottle or cup, or with utensils in their mouths.
To keep children safe, consider padding hard corners of furniture in play areas, as well as bathtub faucets. Areas where children engage in active play should be checked for sharp edges and tripping hazards since these can damage the lips and teeth during a fall. Stairs should be well protected with child-proof gates, as a fall can result in broken bones and teeth.
There are three types of mouthguards available: stock, mouth-formed, and custom made. Mouth-formed guards (sometimes called “boil-and-bite” guards) are designed to be form-fitted at home. Custom made devices are designed and sculpted by your dentist and are the gold standard for mouth protection. Mouthguards that are properly fitted to an athlete’s mouth have increased efficacy and comfort.
Mouthpieces must be well-cleaned and stored after use. Ask your dentist about which type of guard suits your needs, and how to keep yours in good condition.
When to seek medical help
Any injury to the mouth requires consultation with a medical professional. However, if a tooth is just chipped, it’s likely safe to wait until regular office hours to speak with your dentist. A tooth that is cracked in half (or has a large piece missing) constitutes a dental emergency, and you should seek help as soon as possible. A knocked-out tooth also requires immediate assistance, as does any injury that causes extreme discomfort.
If you’re uncertain regarding the severity of an issue, play it safe by contacting an expert.
If a tooth has been knocked out completely:
- Act Fast – responding within 30 minutes means that a tooth has a good chance of being saved
- Rinse your Mouth – immediately rinse with salt water to remove any blood from the mouth
- Rinse the Tooth – only if there is obvious visible debris on the tooth, use lukewarm water to gently rinse debris from the tooth (do not scrub the tooth clean)
- Re-insert the tooth – If more than one tooth was lost, match each tooth and socket before reinsertion. Bite down on a gauze pad to keep the tooth in position while you await treatment.
If reinsertion is impossible, use a clean piece of gauze to apply gentle, consistent pressure to the socket. Store the tooth (or tooth fragment) in a container with a little milk or saliva to prevent the tooth from drying out.
Bleeding
A moist, chilled compress can help control bleeding. Sucking on a Popsicle is a favourite soothing option for children.
Comfort
Rubbing a small amount of oral analgesic into gums will supply relief from the sensations caused by inflammation (or root damage). This should only be used as a temporary solution, while you wait for professional treatment. Acetaminophen can also be used in these instances.
If you or your child has been injured, responding calmly and efficiently in the moment will help avoid infection, limit discomfort, and prevent further damage.
Your first step should always be to contact your dentist. If orthodontic treatment is necessary, a quick assessment will save you time and money. The sooner the necessary corrective work is begun, the better the chances are of an issue being resolved swiftly, without complications. If you suspect that any injury is serious, don’t hesitate to call 911.
Accidents do happen, but awareness and prevention go a long way towards reducing risks, and limiting damage. If you have questions about how to avoid common causes of oral injury, call Clearbrook Dental at (905) 434-4244 for expert advice. Serving the Oshawa area, our team is happy to help you manage any unexpected mishaps, if and when the need arises.