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Urgent care

Oral trauma care in Herriman

A fall, a ball to the face or a car accident can hurt your teeth, gums and lips. Quick action can help save a tooth. Call our office right after the injury.

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What is oral trauma?

Oral trauma is any injury to your teeth, gums, tongue, lips or jaw. It often happens during sports, falls, play or car accidents. Some injuries look small but harm the root or nerve inside the tooth, so it is wise to get checked even if you feel fine.

  • Time matters most for a knocked-out tooth
  • Hidden damage can show up weeks later
  • Mouth guards lower the risk during sports

Injuries we can help with

  • Teeth that are chipped, cracked or broken
  • A tooth that is knocked out
  • A tooth that is loose or pushed in, out or to the side
  • A crack in the root below the gumline
  • Cuts to the gums, lips, tongue or cheeks
  • A filling or crown knocked loose in the injury

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room first if you have a head injury, lost consciousness, may have a broken jaw, or have bleeding that will not stop. Do the same if swelling spreads toward your eye or neck, you have a high fever, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing. Once you are safe, call us about your teeth.

Children's baby teeth can be hurt too. Do not put a knocked-out baby tooth back in, since that can harm the adult tooth growing below. Call us so your dentist can check it.

First aid and what happens next

If an adult tooth is knocked out

  1. Hold it by the crown. Touch only the part you chew with, not the root.
  2. Rinse gently. If it is dirty, rinse it with milk or water for a few seconds. Do not scrub it or remove any tissue on it.
  3. Put it back if you can. Push it gently into the socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it.
  4. Or keep it in milk. If it will not go back in, put it in a cup of milk.
  5. Get care right away. Call us and come in as soon as you can. The sooner it is seen, ideally within the first hour, the more likely it can be saved.

If a tooth is loose or moved

Do not try to force it back into place. Bite down gently on a clean cloth to keep it steady and call us.

If a tooth is broken

Rinse with warm water, save the pieces and use a cold pack on your face. Call us so we can see if the nerve was hurt.

At your visit

Your dentist examines the injury and takes x-rays to check roots and bone. A moved tooth may be eased back in place and held with a small splint. A broken tooth may need bonding or a crown. If the nerve is damaged, a root canal may be needed later. For other urgent problems, see our emergency dental care page.

Healing after a mouth injury

Follow the instructions your dentist gives you. In general:

  • Eat soft foods and chew on the other side for a while.
  • Keep the area clean with gentle brushing and warm salt water rinses.
  • Take pain relievers as your dentist directs.
  • Come to your follow-up visits, even if the tooth feels fine. Damage to the nerve can take weeks to show.

Call us if the tooth turns darker, gets more painful, feels looser or the gum near it swells. If you or your child plays sports, ask us about a mouth guard.

Cost and insurance

Your cost depends on the care you need and your dental plan. After your exam, we give you an estimate and go over what your insurance is likely to cover before any treatment starts. We work with most major dental plans and accept CareCredit.

See insurance and payment options

FAQ

Questions about oral trauma

My tooth does not hurt after the fall. Do I still need to come in?
Yes, it is a good idea. A tooth can be hurt inside even when it looks and feels fine. An exam and x-ray can catch problems early.
Can a knocked-out tooth really be saved?
Often it can, if it is put back or kept in milk and seen quickly. The longer the root stays dry, the lower the chance. That is why you should call us right away.
How long does a mouth injury take to heal?
Cuts in the mouth often heal in one to two weeks. A tooth that was moved or put back may need a splint for a few weeks and follow-up checks for months.
What if my tooth turns gray after an injury?
A tooth that darkens may have a hurt nerve. Call us so your dentist can check it. It may need a root canal or other care.

Related care

You may also want to know about

Cracked Teeth

Find and repair cracks early, before they spread and put the whole tooth at risk.

About cracked teeth

Mouth Guards

Custom-fit guards that help protect teeth, lips and jaw during sports and active play.

About mouth guards

Questions?

Call to book your visit

Our Herriman team will answer your questions and find a time that works for you.

Call (385) 481-6738Get directions