Dental Injuries

Overview

A dental injury is damage to a tooth, the gums, the jaw, or the soft tissues inside the mouth. It can be as small as a chipped tooth or as serious as a tooth being knocked out or a broken jaw. Dental injuries can happen suddenly, and quick, calm action often makes treatment easier.

Yes, dental injuries are common. They happen in everyday falls, sports, play, cycling, road crashes, and other accidents.

Anyone can have a dental injury, but they are especially common in children and young people who are active or play sports. Older adults can also be affected, particularly after a fall or if their teeth, gums, or dental work are weaker.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Tooth pain or tenderness
• Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks
• A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
• A loose tooth or a tooth that feels pushed out of place
• Bleeding from the gums, lip, tongue, or inside of the mouth
• Swelling of the gum, lip, or face
• Jaw pain or trouble opening and closing the mouth
• A tooth that looks darker or changes color later
• Pain when biting or a feeling that the bite is different

Symptoms in children

• Crying or being upset after a fall or knock to the mouth
• Refusing food or drink, or drooling more than usual
• Bleeding from the mouth or a swollen lip
• A tooth that looks chipped, loose, pushed in, or out of place
• Not wanting to brush their teeth or touch the area
• A tooth that changes color over days or weeks

Symptoms in older adults

• Loose teeth or loose dental work such as a crown, filling, or denture
• A broken tooth or broken denture after a fall
• Jaw pain or bruising after a fall
• Bleeding gums or a cut inside the mouth
• Trouble eating or speaking because of pain or a changed bite
• A tooth that feels different when biting

Causes

Main causes

• Falls, especially in children and older adults
• Sports injuries, including contact sports and cycling
• Road traffic crashes
• Fights or blows to the face
• Biting down on hard food, ice, or objects
• Using teeth to open packets or hold things
• Dental work that breaks or becomes loose after an injury

Risk factors

• Playing contact sports without a mouthguard
• Being a young child who is learning to walk or is very active
• Being an older adult with a higher risk of falls
• A previous dental injury
• Weak teeth, large fillings, or previous dental work
• Dry mouth or gum disease, which can make teeth less stable
• Not wearing a helmet or seatbelt when appropriate

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• A permanent tooth has been knocked out, pushed in, or badly loosened
• A tooth is broken and you have pain or bleeding
• Bleeding from the mouth will not stop
• There is swelling of the face or gum, or you have a fever
• You cannot open or close your jaw normally
• You have a deep cut inside the mouth or on the face
• A baby tooth has been knocked out or pushed out of place

Book a routine appointment if:

• A small chip with no pain
• A tooth that feels sensitive but is not loose
• A tooth that looks darker than before
• Your bite feels different after a knock
• You want a follow-up check after a dental injury

Diagnosis

A dentist or doctor will ask how the injury happened and look inside your mouth. They will check your teeth, gums, lips, tongue, and jaw, and may gently test how loose a tooth is or how your bite feels. They may also check for swelling, cuts, or signs of a jaw injury.

Tests that may be done

• Dental X-rays to look at the tooth roots and bone
• X-rays of the jaw if a jaw fracture is possible
• A CT scan for complex jaw or face injuries
• Tests to check whether a tooth's nerve is healthy
• Photographs to record the injury and help with follow-up

What to expect at your appointment

The examination is usually quick. Your clinician may clean the area, give advice about pain relief, and refer you to a dentist or specialist if needed. Some injuries need follow-up visits to check that the tooth is healing.

Treatment

Treatment depends on which tooth and tissue is injured. Some small chips need only smoothing or no treatment. Other injuries may need a filling, a splint, root canal treatment, a crown, or removal of a tooth that cannot be saved. Cuts may need stitches, and jaw injuries may need specialist care.

Self-care at home

• Stay calm and get dental help quickly for a knocked-out or badly broken tooth.
• For a knocked-out permanent tooth, hold it by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or saline. Try to put it back in the socket only if you can do so safely. If not, keep it in milk or saline and get dental help immediately.
• Do not put a baby tooth back into the socket.
• For a young child, do not ask them to hold a tooth in their mouth because of the risk of choking.
• Bite gently on clean gauze or a clean cloth for about 10 minutes if the mouth is bleeding.
• Use a cold pack wrapped in a cloth on the outside of the face to help with swelling.
• Eat soft foods and avoid chewing on the injured side until a dentist says it is safe.
• Keep the mouth clean with gentle brushing, but do not scrub the injured area.
• Ask your pharmacist or dentist about pain relief that is safe for you.

Medical treatments

A dentist may smooth a sharp edge, repair a chip with bonding or a filling, splint loose teeth, reimplant an adult tooth, perform root canal treatment, or place a crown. If a tooth cannot be saved, it may need to be removed. Cuts may be cleaned and closed with stitches. Jaw injuries may be treated with rest, a soft diet, and follow-up with a specialist. Your clinician will explain the choices and what is best for your situation.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery may be needed for some broken jaws, badly damaged teeth that cannot be repaired, or injuries involving several teeth and the bones of the face. A dentist or oral surgeon will explain the options and what to expect.

Living with this condition

Follow your dental team's advice about eating, brushing, and follow-up visits. Check the injured area each day for new swelling, pain, or bleeding. Keep regular dental appointments so healing can be checked.

Lifestyle tips

• Wear a well-fitting mouthguard for contact sports and cycling if advised.
• Wear a helmet and seatbelt where appropriate.
• Avoid using your teeth to open packets, hold objects, or bite very hard things.
• Ask your dentist about night guards if you grind your teeth.
• Keep regular dental check-ups, especially if you have had a dental injury before.

Diet and exercise

Choose soft, nutritious foods while you heal, such as soups, mashed foods, yogurt, and soft fruit. Avoid hard, crunchy, chewy, or very hot foods if they cause pain. Return to exercise gradually and protect your mouth when your dentist says it is safe.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

A dental injury can be upsetting, especially if it changes how you look, eat, or speak. It is normal to feel worried or nervous about dental care. If worry or low mood lasts or affects daily life, speak to your doctor or dentist. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or a local crisis support service right away.

Prevention

Many dental injuries can be prevented. Mouthguards, helmets, seatbelts, safe play areas, and regular dental care all help protect the mouth and teeth.

Screening programmes

Regular dental check-ups can find weak teeth, loose fillings, or gum problems before they cause trouble. Ask your dentist how often you need a check-up.

Complications

If left untreated

• Infection or an abscess in the tooth or gum
• Ongoing pain or sensitivity
• A tooth that dies and changes color
• Loose teeth or tooth loss
• Jaw pain or problems with the bite
• Difficulty eating, drinking, or speaking
• Fear of dental care if pain or trauma is not addressed

Long-term outlook

Most people recover well from dental injuries, especially when they get prompt care. Some teeth need long-term follow-up, and a lost tooth can often be replaced. Your dental team will help you make a plan and support your recovery.

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