Why You Need to See a Dentist After an Accident – Important Tips for Your Teeth

25 July 2022

Why You Need to See a Dentist After an Accident – Important Tips for Your Teeth

After an accident, one of the last things you probably want to think about is dental care. In fact, most people who experience a serious accident will not even be able to think about dentistry until they have healed from their injuries. However, it’s important to understand that during an accident, you are likely to damage your teeth and gums in some way.

After a serious accident, there are many potential negative outcomes for your teeth and gums. Here is why you need to see an emergency dentist Manchester after an accident and what you can do right now to ensure that you don’t run into any complications further down the line.

What Happens to Your Teeth and Gums After an Accident?

When you experience a traumatic accident, your teeth are likely to experience some degree of trauma too. The level of damage will depend on the nature of the accident, as well as on how you got injured. For example, if a car accident left you with lacerations on your face, it could affect the inside of your mouth. At the same time, even a seemingly minor accident can cause significant damage to your gums and teeth if you are not wearing the right types of protection.

The most common types of damage that you might experience include bruising, chipping, breaking, and smashing the gum line. Any of these conditions could leave you at risk for infection if you don’t seek treatment as soon as possible. They could also lead to long-term consequences, including additional dental work or even tooth loss.

Bruised Teeth

A bruised tooth is actually a fairly common occurrence after a serious accident. The injury can occur when you accidentally hit your teeth against something hard, like a steering wheel or dashboard. The impact can cause the tooth to become essentially dented. If the damage is minor, you may not even notice it. However, it’s important to know that the simple fact that you bruised your teeth doesn’t mean that the damage is harmless. A bruised tooth may be at risk of infection. It could also be a sign of more serious damage.

Bruising that affects your gums can also be a sign of more serious dental issues. The best way to address it is to see a dentist as soon as possible and get the proper cleaning and treatment you need. If you ignore the bruised teeth, you could risk the injury becoming more serious and impacting your oral health in more significant ways.

Chipped Teeth

Have you ever dropped a glass and watched as it shattered into pieces on the floor? Chipped teeth are just like those glass shards – they are sharp and can cause significant damage to your gums and mouth. In the immediate aftermath of an accident, it’s especially important to monitor your teeth for any signs of chipping. You may not notice the damage until hours later. Chipped teeth can be painful. They are also more likely to cause bleeding and dental infections. That’s why it’s important to get them treated as soon as possible. If too much time passes, they could also cause damage to your oral tissue.

Broken Teeth

A broken tooth is likely to cause significant damage to your gum line. You may notice that the broken tooth is discoloured or bent out of shape. Even a minor break in the tooth can cause the surrounding gum line to become infected and discoloured. If you ignore the break and don’t get it treated, it could lead to a serious infection. That could require root canal treatment or even tooth removal. If you break a tooth after an accident, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. The dentist will likely clean and disinfect your gum line, as well as repair and reset your tooth. They may even use dental implants Manchester.

Smashed Gum Line

When the accident causes your teeth to smash against your gum line, it can cause significant damage. A smashed gum line can become easily infected. It can also cause permanent damage to your teeth and gums, including impacting the way your teeth fit together. If you experience a serious accident, you should keep a close eye on your teeth and gums. Any swelling or discoloration is cause for concern. Luckily, a smashed gum line can often be addressed with oral antibiotics. However, it’s important to see a dentist right away if you think you’ve damaged your gum line. If you ignore the injury, it could lead to serious and long-lasting complications.

Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency. No matter what type of accident caused it, your best bet is to immediately pick up the tooth and put it in a cup of cold water. You should then see a dentist as soon as possible. A knocked-out tooth may be in serious danger of dying. It may also cause damage to your surrounding gum line. That’s why it’s important to address the situation as soon as possible. Once you’ve seen a dentist, there are a few things you can do to help the healing process along. You can place the tooth in a clean container of milk. The calcium in the milk can help promote healing. You should then take care not to put the tooth in a place where bacteria can easily grow.

Root canal or other oral surgery may be needed after the accident

Even if your teeth don’t seem to have sustained any damage after the accident, you still need to be on the lookout for potential infections. Any serious accident can cause bacteria to splash into your mouth. If your teeth are not protected, they are likely to suffer damage. That’s why it’s important to wear a mouth guard when engaging in activities where you could get injured. Such sports include football, rugby, hockey, and boxing. Unfortunately, even if you manage to avoid any major injuries, trauma can still cause bacteria to enter your mouth. This can lead to an infection. If left untreated, the infection could spread to your gums and bones. It could also cause more serious damage if you don’t get proper treatment.

Summary

After a serious accident, your teeth and gums can experience significant damage. It’s important not to ignore this damage, even if it doesn’t seem very serious at first. If left untreated, it can quickly become much more serious and lead to complications. To avoid long-lasting damage to your teeth and gums, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible after an accident. The dentist will clean and disinfect your gums and teeth, and may even suggest teeth whitening Manchester so, they will really look their best. They will also repair any damage that needs fixing and protect your teeth from future issues. In most cases, it’s best to see a dentist within the first 24 hours after the accident. That way, you can be sure to receive proper treatment and avoid long-lasting complications.