Dental injuries

Anatomy: Milk teeth are replaced in childhood, where the permanent teeth appear. The front teeth are usually replaced in the 6-8 year age group.

Cause: Direct blows to the teeth can cause the teeth to fracture, fall out or cause damage to the blood supply to the tooth bringing about permanent damage.

Symptoms: Loose teeth, bleeding from the gums, pain in the tooth.

Examination: Examination by a dentist should be performed in all cases where the tooth is knocked out, loose or crooked. The results of the treatment are directly dependent upon how quickly you can be examined.

Treatment: If the tooth is knocked out you should try to put it in place again or keep it in a moist environment, most favourably in salt water (one teaspoon cooking salt in one litre water) or second best in the mouth under the tongue (not children or unconscious persons) or in a handkerchief made moist with saliva to avoid drying out. You should seek acute dental assistance. The dentist can attempt to replace the tooth so that it can re-attach itself. The chances of good results are reduced for each hour which elapses before reaching the dentist.

Rehabilitation: Normal sports activity can be resumed within a short space of time.
Also read Rehabilitation of children and adolescents in general.

Special: Preventive mouth guards significantly reduce the risk of dental injury. It is recommended to utilise mouth guards in a wide variety of sports (contact sports). Resumption of contact sports following a dental injury requiring treatment should be delayed until the tooth has attached itself again in order to avoid possible blows to the tooth in the re-attachment phase (article-1), (article-2). All dental injuries should be reported to your insurance company.