Bring all fragments
to your dentist, for he / she may be able to bond them back for you. If soft tissue
(lips, cheek, tongue) are lacerated, check if the fragments are embedded
in the wound. Even if the
fragments are lost, see your dentist as soon as possible because the fractured
tooth may become sensitive and the infected nerve may cause pain. See your dentist
immediately. Never attempt
to push a baby tooth back because this may further damage the underlying
developing adult tooth.
You can rinse
it with saline or milk (not water), but do not touch or scrub the root,
otherwise this may damage the cells on the root surface which are vital
to the success of reimplantation of the tooth. If it is an
adult tooth, put it back immediately in the correct way and rush to the
dentist.If you do not
know how to put the tooth back correctly, then put the tooth in a glass
of cold saline or milk and see your dentist immediately.Remember, the
sooner the tooth is put back into its socket, the better the prognosis.
In case of contaminated
wounds (e.g. with soil), tetanus toxoid booster may be required. Consult
your family doctor.The wound may
require cleaning and / or suture. If you have
any allergies to antibiotics, you must notify your dentist. In case of bleeding
in the mouth, apply direct pressure to the bleeding area with a clean gauze
to stop bleeding. Do not move
the jaw. Secure the jaw
in place by tying a bandage or towel around the jaw and over the top of
the head. Go immediately
to a hospital emergency room, or call your dentist. Find out the
Emergency number of your Dentist and your local hospital in case of emergency.
Better still,
always wear a properly fitting Mouthguard when playing sports to prevent
injuries to teeth. Prevention
is better than Cure.
Note: "Ask a Dentist" is a free dental
advisory service provided by HKDA for dental enquiries.
