Tooth Concussion
When you understand HOW and WHY things happen, your actions for treatment and prevention are vastly improved.
If you just want to know WHAT ACTIONS TO TAKE, scroll down.
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Just like your brain, your tooth can get a concussion that bruises things up. This can happen any time there is a hard impact to the mouth.
- Any sudden impact to the mouth (fighting, a fall, car or bike accident, etc.)
- Child complains of impact to the mouth region
- Teeth are sensitive to touch or tapping
- Tooth is NOT displaced
- Over the counter anti-inflammatory pain medicines, but NOT ASPIRIN. Typically acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used. These are to be swallowed only and not placed directly on the injury.
- Ice packs on the face if pain is more severe. Frozen vegetables like peas or corn make a good pliable ice pack. Wrap in a small thin towel (even a paper towel) before applying directly to skin in order to prevent freezer burn to the skin.
- Usually there is no need for immediate treatment. Tenderness to touch or tapping should go away within a few days.
- Make a note of the event and be sure to notify your child’s dentist of it at their next normal appointment. You might even want to call their office right now and simply ask them to make a note of it in your child’s chart notes.
- Watch the tooth over the next several weeks to months for any signs of darkening, pimples developing around the gums, or increase in pain. If one of these things occurs, contact your child’s dentist for an appointment right away.
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NOTE: Any recommendations given can only be construed as general information. It is impossible for me to know your specific circumstances. I am not your family’s personal dentist. This material should NOT be used to diagnose the presence or absence of any particular ailment. This information is not intended to be a substitute for the services of a locally qualified dental health care professional. Any application of the material found on this website is at the reader’s discretion and is her or his sole responsibility. If there is any question, contact your dentist or other qualified dental health care professional.