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We do encounter dental emergencies pretty often, and sports-related injuries take up a fair share of them. Athletes are usually very active, and having a few bad falls when they play or train, which is quite common. They could sustain an injury to the mouth, which may damage the teeth, tongue, or other soft tissues of the mouth.

In such cases, please do not panic, as it would do yourself no good. Call a dentist and inform them about the incident. If any first aid can be done at home, they would suggest taking the edge off the pain and stabilizing the situation. After that, get yourself to a dentist as soon as possible to get the right treatment.

Common dental emergencies

Cracked or chipped tooth

Though the enamel is quite a strong substance, a hard blow to the mouth could crack or chip the teeth. In case there is bleeding, rinse the mouth and control the bleeding using a piece of gauze. Apply a cold pack to reduce the swelling and to give comfort. If you can find a piece of the broken tooth, take it along while visiting the dentist.

Injured soft tissues

Accidentally biting the lips, tongue, or the soft lining of the mouth could cause bleeding. Use a clean piece of gauze to stop the bleeding and form a clot. A cold compress can be used to keep the swelling in control. Take care not to dislodge the clot while brushing the teeth or eating food.

Avulsed tooth

A hard blow to the mouth could completely knock out a tooth or break it right at the gum line. It can be highly painful, and if you don’t act quickly, you could lose a natural tooth forever. Gather the tooth and rinse it with water while only holding on to the tooth crown. Don’t use soap or any other cleaning agent to do so. Place the tooth in a container of milk and take it to the dental practice. Meanwhile, control the bleeding using a piece of gauze.

Toothache

A toothache could be caused when the tooth has a deep cavity (due to decay) or when you bite into something too hard. Sometimes, toothache also occurs when anything is stuck in between the teeth. In such cases, rinse the mouth with warm water and try to remove the debris that’s stuck in between the teeth. In the case of cavities, see a dentist immediately so that they can get rid of the decay, apply a filling, and provide medication to overcome it.

In case of dental emergencies, feel free to reach out to us at (951) 676-4556, and we’ll be happy to help.