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DENTAL TRAUMA
(Broken Tooth Treatment)

WHAT IS DENTAL TRAUMA? 

Dental trauma is any injury occurring within the head and neck area, affecting tissues such as your lips, gums, teeth, and jaws.

It encompasses a range of injuries that may occur due to accidents or impact on your mouth and surrounding structures. If you experience any dental trauma, seeking prompt dental care for evaluation is essential.
broken tooth

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF DENTAL TRAUMA?

Dental trauma can include the following:

Bruises

Bleeding from the gum

Loose tooth/teeth

Dislocated jaw joints

Abrasions and/or lacerations

on the lips, chin, cheek, face

Fractured or broken tooth/teeth

with or without bleeding from the pulp within the innermost of the tooth

Avulsed tooth

(ie. totally knocked out)

Fractured jaw(s)

Gum abrasions and/or lacerations

Different position(s) of tooth/teeth

(teeth can be pushed in, elongated, or shifted) potentially affecting biting down

Degloving injuries

(ie. where the gums are totally torn away from the bone)

Fractured jaw(s)

This is not a comprehensive list, as dental trauma can take the form of an isolated or combined presentation in varying degrees of severity within each component.

If your child has any of the conditions above, make an appointment for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
child dental trauma

WHO IS AFFECTED BY DENTAL TRAUMA?

Dental trauma is a possibility for anyone. While it is more common in toddlers (ages 1 to 3) who are learning to walk but not entirely steady on their feet and in grown children (ages 7 to 13) who are active and playful, it can also occur in youngsters, especially if they are engaged in contact sports.

Regardless of age, it is important to be mindful of the risk and take necessary precautions to protect our teeth and oral health.

HOW TO PREVENT DENTAL TRAUMA

Nobody wants to experience dental trauma. However, dental trauma usually occurs due to accidents, so the best approach is to minimise the chances of such incidents happening in the first place.

In many cases, dental trauma is preventable, and here are some simple tips to consider:

  • Ensure your child is always supervised, especially at home when learning to walk, climbing on furniture, and playing at the playground with other children.
  • If you participate in contact sports, wear a proper sports mouth guard to protect your teeth from potential impacts.
  • Wear appropriate footwear when engaging in certain activities that may pose a risk of dental injury.
  • If your child has excessively protruding teeth, consider seeking advice from a paediatric dentist or orthodontist for options like interceptive orthodontics or growth modulation to address the issue.

Taking these precautions can significantly reduce the risk of dental trauma and help keep your teeth and oral health safe.

child injury

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOUR CHILD HAS A MOUTH INJURY OR FRACTURED TOOTH?

Keep calm. Check for any other head or bodily injuries and follow the checklist below:

  • Was there a knock to the head?
  • Did the child blackout?
  • Is the child vomiting or experiencing a headache or dizziness?

If so, please see your family medical practitioner or seek immediate medical assistance at your nearest A&E Department as NUHS or KKH (these have children's emergency departments). It is crucial to rule out any possible neurological injuries due to the injury.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD HITS THEIR TOOTH?

One of the most critical emergencies in dentistry is tooth avulsion, a type of dental trauma. This occurs when a tooth is completely knocked out of its socket, including the position in the jawbone and gums, due to an injury impact.

In cases of tooth avulsion, ensure that it is a permanent tooth and NOT a baby tooth. If you need clarification, call the dental clinic and/or send photos to us, and we can guide you. If it is a permanent tooth, carefully pick it up by holding the crown (the white part) and avoiding touching the root (the yellowish part) as much as possible. If the tooth is dirty or has debris on it, gently rinse it under cold running water. Try to reposition the tooth back into the socket. Get your child to bite down on a handkerchief or towel to hold it in place while you make your way to the dental clinic. If you cannot reposition the tooth, store it in a suitable temporary storage solution. Options include a bottle of full cream milk, saline solution, or a container with the child’s saliva. Do not store the tooth in water.

Acting promptly and seeking immediate dental attention can significantly affect the potential survival and management of the affected tooth or teeth.

In case of any doubt or emergency, do not hesitate to call the dental clinic immediately. Seeking proper dental care within 30 minutes can significantly impact the chances of saving the tooth. Time is crucial in these situations, so act promptly to ensure the best outcome for your child’s dental health.

HOW IS DENTAL TRAUMA TREATED?

During the appointment, the dentist will conduct a comprehensive clinical examination and may take X-rays or perform relevant tests as necessary to assess the dental injury thoroughly. Based on the findings, the available management options will be discussed with you, and the most suitable solution will be carried out accordingly.

The dentist will also guide you on caring for the injury site in the coming days to prevent further infection and promote optimal healing. Additionally, you will be informed about the follow-up appointments scheduled to monitor the progress and ensure the best possible outcome.

Following the dentist’s advice and instructions is important to support an effective recovery.

HOW SHOULD YOU MANAGE AN AVULSED TOOTH?

dental injury

CONTACT US

We look forward to answering any questions you may have in your pursuit of health, beauty, and a peace of mind. Feel free to drop us a message right here.
International Building (Next to Lido)
360 Orchard Road #03-06/07
Singapore 238869

Say hello!

    International Building (Next to Lido)
    360 Orchard Road #03-06/07,
    Singapore 238869
    Mon to Fri: 9am to 5.30pm
    Thu: 10am to 5.30pm
    Sat: 9am to 1pm
    Closed on Sun & PH
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