Dental trauma, resulting in damage to your teeth can happen quickly. Often, this is unavoidable and knowing the common causes of dental injuries can help with prevention. Access Endodontics, located in Ellicott City, is available should anyone you know require dental injury services. Dr. Lina Jarboe and Dr. Burton Waxman’s compassionate care and pride in treating patients is recognized by those who have suffered dental trauma. Call 410.304.7226 or contact us online today.
What Is Dental Trauma?
Dental trauma is a physical injury to the teeth, gums, jaw, lips, or tongue. These injuries can be quite painful and often require immediate medical attention from a dentist and in some cases an endodontist. Dental trauma is most often caused by an unfortunate event, such as:
- Automobile accidents
- A fall
- Contact sports injuries
- Physical altercations
If you’ve experienced dental trauma due to any of these events, contact your endodontist immediately.
Common Types of Dental Trauma
Traumatic dental injuries can vary, as they can involve tooth, bone, and the mouth’s soft tissue. Below are some of the most common types of dental trauma.
Tooth Concussion
It is considered a tooth concussion when the tooth has suffered an impact, but the periodontal ligaments remain intact and continue providing support.
Subluxation
A significant tooth concussion in which the tooth remains in the mouth but is noticeably loosened.
Luxation
Luxation is when the tooth becomes dislodged from the alveolus or the tooth socket. Three types of luxation (extrusive, intrusive, and lateral) describe the displacement’s exact nature.
Avulsion
An avulsion is when the tooth is completely knocked out. In certain instances, a section of the root may remain in place, but a majority of the tooth is missing and could be permanently lost.
Damaged Teeth
One of the most common types of traumatic dental injuries is a tooth that has been chipped, cracked, fractured, or damaged in any way. These types of injuries often do not involve dislocation.
How to Prevent Dental Trauma
Dental injuries are usually accidental and in certain situations unavoidable. Yet, there are many precautions you can take to avoid dental trauma or, at the very least, significantly reduce the severity of any traumatic dental injuries you might suffer.
Wear a Mouthguard
Contact sports are a common cause of dental trauma, but with proper protection, your child can continue pursuing the sport they enjoy. A simple mouthguard can be highly effective at keeping teeth safe during sporting events of all kinds.
Wear Your Seatbelt
Buckling up while driving is Maryland law. It is also an excellent way to protect yourself and loved ones while on the road. You may not have any control over what other drivers do, but you can at least be defensive and protect yourself (and your teeth) from many dangers.
Take Precautions to Prevent Falls
One of the simplest methods for dental injury prevention is taking basic safety measures to avoid dangerous falls. This can mean clearing walking areas of clutter, ensuring that walkways are well lit, making sure floors are not wet, and wearing the proper footwear when slippery floors are unavoidable.
Regular Dental Check-Ups
Regular dental check-ups are crucial in the early detection and prevention of potential dental trauma. By identifying issues like cavities, gum disease, or misaligned teeth early, dentists can implement corrective measures that prevent more severe problems down the line. Additionally, professional cleaning during these visits removes plaque buildup that can lead to infections and decay. Ultimately, these preventative steps help maintain optimal oral health and reduce the risk of significant dental injuries.
Contact Access Endodontics for Dental Trauma Help in Ellicott City
Our experienced endodontists Dr. Lina Jarboe and Dr. Burton Waxman understand accidents happen. When you or a loved one need dental injury services, contact Access Endodontics by calling 410.304.7226 or using our secure online form.