What is Dental Trauma? How Do I Get Treated?

Traumatic dental injuries are incredibly common. One study found that nearly 30% of people experience dental trauma at some time during their lives. 

You can’t predict when or if an injury will occur, but knowing what to do in advance can provide peace of mind and lower the risk of tooth loss and other complications.

At Palm Beach Pain Institute in Delray Beach, Florida, board-certified pain management physician Marcie Merson, MD, helps diagnose and manage pain associated with dental trauma, including related issues, such as TMJ syndrome and trigeminal neuralgia.

This article defines dental trauma and explains what to do if you or a loved one experiences a dental injury.

Understanding dental trauma

Dental trauma is an umbrella term for any injury affecting your teeth, gums, jaw, or surrounding oral tissues. Some common examples of dental trauma include:

• Chipped and cracked teeth
• Broken teeth
• Loose or displaced teeth
• Knocked-out teeth
• Soft tissue injuries involving your lips, gums, cheeks, or tongue

In some cases, dental trauma leads to other conditions, like temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ syndrome). It can also cause symptoms that resemble trigeminal neuralgia, so it’s important to get screened if you experience sharp, electric shock-like pain in your teeth or jaw.

What to do when you experience dental trauma

If you or a loved one experiences dental trauma, it’s important to act as quickly as possible. Waiting even just a few hours can affect healing and increase the risk of future complications.

The action you take depends on the issue, but as a general rule, we recommend contacting your dentist immediately. Once you’ve done that and scheduled an appointment, there are several actions you can take. Depending on your specific needs, this may include:

• Gently rinsing your mouth with warm water
• Applying a cold compress to your cheek to reduce swelling
• Controlling bleeding with gauze or tissue

If one of your teeth gets knocked out, pick it up by the crown, gently rinse it with clean water, and try putting it back in the socket. If that’s not possible, place it in a glass of milk and get to the dentist as soon as possible. Time is of the essence in this situation, and the sooner you act, the more likely it is your tooth can be saved.

Treatment for dental trauma: What to expect

Treatment for dental trauma depends on the type of injury you experience and its severity. Your dentist may recommend:

• Dental bonding for minor chips or cracks
• A dental crown for a larger fracture
• Root canal therapy if your tooth pulp is damaged
• Reimplantation of knocked-out teeth 
• Tooth extraction and replacement if the damaged tooth can’t be saved

Pain is a common part of recovery for many people even though your dentist handles these issues. When that happens, coordinating your care with a pain management specialist like Dr. Merson can make healing more comfortable, particularly if you develop persistent jaw pain, TMJ symptoms, or nerve-related facial pain.

We can help you manage dental trauma-related pain

Dental trauma often happens unexpectedly, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer. If you’d like help managing your symptoms, we’d be glad to discuss ways we can complement the care you’re receiving from your dentist.

 Contact us today to start feeling better. Schedule an appointment by calling our office at 561-499-7020 or booking online.