Mouth and Dental Injuries

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Rapid swelling of your throat, tongue, or mouth
• Moderate to severe difficulty breathing occurs:
  • In children.
  • In adults and older children.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• A head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older or Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger.
• Burn to the mouth: Go to the topic Burns.
• A problem related to mouth piercing: Go to the topic Body Piercing Problems.
• A problem caused by swallowing a piece of dental appliance: Go to the topic Swallowed Objects.

Yes	Has your tooth been knocked out?
Yes	Has your tooth come loose, moved, or been jammed into your gum after an injury?
Yes	Do you have a cut, puncture, or tear in your lip, tongue, or the inside your mouth?
Yes	Do you know or think an object is in a mouth wound?
Yes	Do you know or think a mouth injury may have been caused by abuse?
Yes	Did your tooth or dental appliance chip, crack, or break?
Yes	Do you have pain after a mouth or dental injury?
Yes	Do you have any signs of infection?
Yes	Has a tooth changed color after an injury?
Yes	Do you know or think you need a tetanus shot?
Yes	Was your injury caused by grinding your teeth?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• A toothache not related to an injury: Go to the topic Toothache and Gum Problems.
• Mouth problems not related to an injury: Go to the topic Mouth Problems, Noninjury.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA	Last Updated: December 1, 2006
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Steven K. Patterson, BSc, DDS, MPH - Dentist
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