News

Accidents happen

So it’s important to know what to do if you or someone else accidentally damages a tooth.

If you crack or chip a tooth it’s important to get to a dentist as soon as possible. If you can save any part of a tooth that has chipped off keep it in a container of milk or wrap it in plastic wrap and take it with you to the dentist. Do not put the tooth in ice or hot water.

If a baby tooth is knocked out there are a number of steps that can be taken to try and minimise the damage:

• To avoid damage or infection don’t try and put the tooth back into its socket but keep it moist in milk or wrap it in plastic wrap. Baby teeth are not usually re planted.
• See a dentist as soon as you can
• If there is any associated bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth directly to the area

If an adult tooth is knocked out, the most critical factor is saving the tooth in time. The steps below can assist in saving the tooth:

• Find the tooth. If the tooth is clean, place the tooth back in place immediately, being careful to avoid touching the root. Use the neighbouring teeth as a guide and ensure the tooth is repositioned facing the correct way. Bite down on a soft cloth to help hold the tooth in place and get to a dentist as soon as possible.
• If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it in milk before placing the tooth back into the socket. If milk is not available, have the patient suck it clean, or very briefly rinse it in cold water before repositioning into the mouth. Again have the patient bite on a soft cloth and get to a dentist as soon as possible.
• If you are not able to place the tooth back into the socket place it in milk or wrap it in plastic wrap (do not store it in water) and take it with you to the dentist. Do not let the tooth dry out. Time is critical. Seek immediate care.

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is the inflammation and infection of the gums. Gum disease can occur where there is a build-up of plaque and tartar (calculus) on teeth. The best way to avoid gum disease is by establishing good oral hygiene patterns, cleaning and flossing your teeth daily.

The initial stage of gum disease is referred to as gingivitis (an inflammation of your gums). Gingivitis is reversible and can be treated by regularly removing the plaque and tartar from teeth. A regular scale and clean by your dentist and maintaining your own daily oral hygiene habits will prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar and help keep your gums healthy. If gingivitis is not treated and the inflammation and infection continues, it may progress to an advanced stage of gum disease called periodontitis. This stage of gum disease can cause serious damage to teeth and gums and may also impact on the bone supporting your teeth. The gums may start to recede or pull away from your teeth forming pockets between the gum and teeth. These pockets become harder to clean and the disease continues. As the infection progresses, the surrounding bone is impacted and in severe cases, teeth may become loose and require removal.

You may not be aware that you have gum disease so regular dental check-ups are important. The earlier gum disease is identified and treated, the better the long term outcome. Treatment of gum disease will vary depending upon the stage of gum disease present, however the aim of treatment remains the same, to stop or slow down the progress of disease and to help you introduce daily maintenance procedures that help keep your gums healthy.

Your dentist will look for signs of gum disease during your routine dental check-ups. Signs may include bleeding gums, red and swollen gums, bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth, or teeth which have become loose. Should you notice any of these signs, it is important to visit the dentist to discuss any concerns.

One of the most common causes of injuries to your mouth and teeth is sporting accidents. Each year many children and adults experience upsetting dental injuries that may potentially have been avoided by wearing a professionally fitted, customised mouthguard.

Sporting injuries can include damage to teeth, broken jaws and lacerations to your lips, gums or other supporting tissues. The wearing of a properly fitted, custom made mouthguard helps to minimise the effect of a knock to your mouth by helping to absorb and spread the impact, lightening the load to any one particular area. The mouthguard cushions the teeth and helps reduce the risk of teeth being knocked out, bony fractures or soft tissue injury.

To protect your mouth and teeth from accidental trauma during sport, a custom-fitted mouthguard should be worn not only when playing competitively, but also during training sessions. It is amazing how many injuries actually occur during training sessions. It is also important to ensure the custom made mouthguard you have is the most suitable for your sport. Sports where the risk of trauma or accidental impact is higher may require a more protective mouthguard.  Mouthguards for growing children will need regular review for fit, as baby teeth are lost and adult teeth erupt.

An injury to your mouth or teeth cannot only be very uncomfortable, but may result in the need for more expensive dental treatment. You may also need to take time off work/school to recover or undergo treatment. A custom-made mouthguard in this regard may protect more than your teeth.

To find out more about professionally custom-fitted mouthguards contact your nearest nib Dental Care Centre.