This leaflet has been produced to improve your understanding of how to care for your mouth after treatment for dental trauma. If you have any questions or would like further explanation, especially if you are unsure, please discuss this with the student, dentist, or the attending nurse.

• Treatment
• Care of your teeth after trauma including if a splint is placed
• Complications
• Prevention
• Important

Treatment

The treatment will vary depending on the type of injury you have sustained.  

If a tooth has been knocked out and put back in, a splint will have been applied to hold the tooth in position. 

A splint may have been applied for other reasons as well, such as a tooth that is loose, has been repositioned or a root fracture. 

The splint will need to be in place for 2 to 4 weeks but can be longer depending on the injuries (up to 4 months with a root fracture). 

Sometimes a removable splint is used which looks like a sports mouth guard. 

Care of your teeth after trauma including if a splint is placed

Brush your teeth gently using a soft toothbrush twice a day (morning and evening) and after eating, especially around the splint if one has been applied. 

Use a chlorhexidine mouthwash (0.2% w/v) for 1 to 2 weeks. 

Eat a soft diet, such as pasta, soups, yoghurt, bananas, etc. 

Avoid hard foods and do not bite directly onto the injured teeth. 

Use over the counter pain killers such as paracetamol. DO NOT exceed recommended doses. 

Avoid all contact sports. 

Future appointments will depend on the type of injury and may be with your own dentist. 

If the splint becomes loose, you will need to return to your own dentist or contact the dental school. 

You will need to have the splint removed when necessary. Leaving a splint in place for too long can damage the teeth. 

Pain, bruising and swelling in the area is normal and may last for 5 to 7 days.  It is usually at its most obvious at 2-3 days. 

Complications 

Sensitivity 
Pain 
Damage to the nerve of the tooth 
Swelling 
Infection 
Tooth becomes loose 
Darkening of the tooth/change in colour 
Loss of the tooth 
Root resorption (the root starts to disappear) 
Ankylosis (the root of the tooth can be replaced by bone) 
The nerve of the tooth may die or be damaged, or the blood supply of the tooth can be damaged leading to an infection.  This may present as a bubble or lump on the gum or a swelling of the face or above the tooth.  This may require a root canal treatment, where the nerve is removed and the space cleaned and filled (which may take several visits). 

Prevention 

Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports. 

Custom fit offer the best comfort, fit and protection. 

Boil in the bag mouthguards are not recommended as they do not offer enough protections. 

For further advice see: https://dentaltrauma.co.uk/Public/Mouthguards.aspx 

Important 

If you have had an injection, be careful not to bite your lip, cheek or tongue. 
Do not have any hot drinks while you are numb. 
There may be some blood in your saliva. If uncontrolled bleeding occurs, please contact your own dentist, attend A&E or contact the dental school. 
In cases of severe swelling please call 111/ visit A&E.