What is dental trauma?

Dental trauma refers to injury/damage to the teeth and/or gums. Most commonly caused during contact sports and high contact physical activities.

Prevention

Regular use of a mouthguard during sports and other high risk physical activities is the most effective prevention for dental trauma. However, injuries can still occur whilst wearing a mouthguard as users are not always aware of the best makes or sizes, which results in a poor fit. This is why a custom fitted mouthguard is essential during physical contact sports and activities.

What to do if an adult tooth is knocked out?

1. Find the tooth. Hold the tooth by the crown (the white part), not by the root (the yellow part).
2. If clean, replant immediately, if possible using gentle pressure
3. If contaminated, rinse shortly with cold tap water and put the tooth back in its place.
4. Hold the tooth in place. Bite on a handkerchief to hold it in position.
5. If you cannot put the tooth back in, place it in a cup of milk or saline. When milk or saline are not available place the tooth in between your cheek and your teeth.
6. Seek dental treatment as soon as possible.