Dental accident – what to do?


Dental accident with milk tooth

No matter whether the milk tooth has loosened, a piece has broken off or the tooth has shifted, you should always visit our dental practice after a fall on your teeth. The dentist will then decide whether an X-ray or other therapy is necessary. Often an antibacterial gel is prescribed which helps to prevent inflammation.

If a baby tooth is completely knocked out in an accident, it should not be replanted (put back) because the risk of damaging the germs of the following teeth is too great.

A possible consequence of a milk tooth trauma is the dark discolouration of the tooth concerned, but this usually does not require treatment. The grey discolouration is comparable to a haematoma (bruise) and can fade again with time.

 However, if there is a fistula (pustule) on the overlying gum, a dental check-up and treatment by your paediatric dentist is urgently needed.

 


Dental accident with permanent tooth

In the case of a dental accident involving a permanent tooth, our paediatric dental practice in Munich-Trudering should also be visited as soon as possible. In addition, important measures for saving a tooth that has been knocked out should be taken into account! 

If a permanent tooth is completely or partially knocked out in an accident, then action should be taken quickly. The right behaviour in the first few minutes is decisive for the further fate of the tooth! To ensure that the knocked-out tooth does not dry out until further treatment and that the tissue attached to the root is not damaged, it is of great importance to store it correctly. This is best done in the so-called “tooth rescue box”. Alternatively, the tooth can also be placed in isotonic saline solution or cold UHT milk and transported. These alternatives can only be used for a short time (milk: 1-2 hours and saline solution: 30 minutes). Under no circumstances should the tooth be cleaned or stored dry! 


Replantation of the permanent tooth in the practice

As soon as you are in the practice, we will immediately try to replant the tooth (put it back into the jaw). The same applies to broken pieces of tooth, as we can reattach these to the tooth using high quality composite. Any pieces of tooth found should be brought to the practice (if possible!). This is the best way to preserve the tooth permanently.

However, tooth trauma can result in damage to or inflammation of the tooth nerve, this would result in subsequent root canal treatment. Every dental accident is discussed individually with us and treated as quickly as possible. Of course, you will be informed intensively about the findings, therapy and prognosis.

 

Here is the correct procedure:

keep calm and act quickly

look for the tooth or the broken off piece of tooth immediately

only touch the broken tooth at the crown (not at the root!)

do not clean or disinfect the tooth

place the tooth immediately in a tooth rescue box (if this is not available, use saline solution or milk)

In case of heavy bleeding, press gauze or a clean, lint-free piece of fabric (e.g. handkerchief) on the wound and cool it externally.

Call a dentist or dental clinic as soon as possible.

Tooth rescue box


Wie kann man Zähne schützen?

Am besten ist es, wenn Zähne durch einen Unfall gar nicht erst geschädigt werden!

In vielen Sportarten (Stock- und Kontaktsportarten, auch Fußball, Handball, Inline-Skaten, usw.) ist es sinnvoll, die Zähne aktiv gegen Unfälle zu schützen. Dies ist möglich durch Helme mit integriertem Kinnbügel und/oder durch spezielle Kunst-stoffschienen (sog. Mouthguard).

Man unterscheidet vorgefertigte und laborgefertigte Schienen. Die laborgefertigten Schienen werden von uns individuell angefertigt und angepasst. Dadurch sind sie bequem beim Tragen und behindern nicht die Atmung. Die Schienen bestehen aus mehreren Lagen von elastischem Kunststoff. Die Anzahl und Dicke der einzelnen Lagen richten sich nach der Sportart.