Allan I. Abolafia, D.D.S.

Allen W. Ackerman, D.D.S.

1300 Ulster Avenue   ·   Kingston, NY 12401   ·   845-336-5252

THE TOOTH TRIBUNE

Caring for Injuries to the Mouth and Teeth Injuries to the mouth and teeth are quite common. The injuries can range for simple to severe, but basically fall into several categories: 1. Teeth that are knocked out (avulsed) 2. Teeth that are pushed or knocked out of place (extruded) 3. Minor, moderate and sever fractures Any injury to your teeth should be taken seriously and dealt with immediately. Here is some information which can prove helpful in the event of a tooth trauma. 1. Teeth that are knocked out (avulsed) Call your dentist immediately. If you have the tooth, rinse it gently to remove any dirt. Put the clean tooth in your mouth between your cheek and gum. If this is not possible (e.g., in young children), wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and place in milk. Do not try to "replant" the tooth into the socket, which could cause further damage. Get to the dentist as soon as possible. If treated quickly, it may be possible to reimplant the tooth. 2. Teeth that are pushed or knocked out of place (extruded) Call your dentist immediately. Using only the lightest pressure repositioned the tooth to its normal alignment. Under no circumstances should you force the tooth into the socket. Using a moist tissue or gauze pad, hold the tooth in place. Get to the dentist as soon as possible. If treated quickly, the resulting damage can be mitigated. 3. Minor, moderate and sever fractures Call your dentist immediately. Treatment of a fractured tooth depends on the severity of the break, but regardless of the degree of damage, the appropriate treatment plan should always be determined by a dentist. A. Minor Fractures can be smoothed down by your dentist, using a sandpaper disc. In some cases, the fracture is so minimal that your dentist will choose to simply leave it alone. Another option your dentist may suggest is restoring the tooth using a composite. Regardless of the treatment method upon which you and your dentists agree, the tooth should be treated very gently for at least several days. B. Moderate Fractures may include damage to the enamel, dentin, and/or the tooth pulp. If the pulp is not permanently damaged, the tooth may be restored with a full permanent crown. If pulp damage does occur, additional treatment will be required. C. Severe Fractures generally refer to a tooth which has been so severely traumatized tooth that there is no chance to restore or repair it. Injuries to teeth often also involve injury to the soft tissues of the mouth (e.g., tears, puncture wounds, lacerations to the cheek, lips or tongue). Such wounds should be thoroughly cleaned as soon after the injury takes place as possible and the injured person should be brought either to the emergency room or to a physician's office, for the necessary suturing and wound repair. Any bleeding resulting from a tongue laceration can be reduced by pulling the tongue forward and using gauze to place pressure on the wound. The key to treatment of tooth and mouth injuries is immediate action. Such injuries, if treated promptly and quickly, often stand a good chance of making a complete recovery.

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