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Dental trauma / a blow to a tooth

What should you do after a blow to a tooth?

A fall, accident or blow can cause pain, a fracture, displacement or the complete avulsion of a tooth. Even if no injury is immediately visible, dental trauma should be assessed by a dental

Dental trauma

What is dental trauma?

Dental trauma is an injury caused by a blow, fall or accident. It can affect the tooth itself, as well as its root, the gum, the ligament or the bone supporting it. Depending on the force of the impact, the tooth may be sensitive, cracked, broken, loose, displaced or completely knocked out.

Even when no injury is visible, the pulp at the centre of the tooth may have been affected. An examination at Cabinet Dentaire de la Madeleine makes it possible to assess the situation, look for any injuries and arrange the necessary follow-up.

Dental trauma

The first steps after a blow to a tooth

Look without touching

Check whether the tooth is broken, loose, displaced or missing. Do not try to straighten a tooth that has moved, and avoid touching it with your tongue or fingers.

Retrieve the tooth or fragment

If a piece has broken off, keep it in milk or saline solution. A knocked-out tooth must only be held by its crown, never by its root. Do not scrub it or allow it to dry out.

Protect the area

If there is bleeding, apply moderate pressure with clean gauze. A cold compress held against the cheek can help limit swelling. Avoid chewing on the affected side.

Contact a dental surgeon

A broken, displaced, loose or knocked-out tooth must be examined promptly. After a severe blow to the head, loss of consciousness or vomiting, call 15 or 112 immediately.

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A blow to a tooth

What should you do depending on the situation?

Not all dental trauma is equally serious. A clinical examination, supplemented by an X-ray if necessary, identifies the injury and checks the vitality of the tooth.

Examination of a painful tooth after an impact

This may be a bruise or a crack that is difficult to see. The tooth remains in place, but it may become sensitive to touch or when chewing. Even if there is no visible break, a consultation is recommended because some consequences may appear in the days or weeks that follow.

Broken or cracked tooth following trauma

Retrieve the fragment if you can find it and keep it in milk or saline solution. Depending on the extent of the fracture, the dental surgeon may consider reattaching it, restoring the tooth or treating the pulp.

To understand the different types of fractures and their treatments, see our Broken, cracked or chipped tooth page.

Loose or displaced tooth after an impact

Do not try to put the tooth back in place yourself. The dental surgeon assesses the position of the tooth, its root and the surrounding bone. Repositioning and splinting may be offered depending on the diagnosis.

What to do when a tooth has been knocked out

When a permanent tooth has come out of its socket, this is an emergency. Hold it by the crown without touching the root, then place it in milk or saline solution and seek care immediately.

A knocked-out baby tooth must never be reimplanted. In children, an examination is still essential to monitor the tissues and the developing permanent tooth.

Cabinet Dentaire de la Madeleine

Care tailored to every dental injury

Following an impact, the examination covers the affected tooth, the neighbouring teeth, the gum and the supporting tissues. X-rays and sensitivity tests may be carried out when indicated.

Depending on the situation, the practitioner may consider monitoring, reattaching a fragment, a composite restoration, repositioning and splinting a displaced tooth, or endodontic treatment. When the tooth cannot be saved, replacement options are considered after the assessment.

Follow-up is important, even when the pain subsides. A traumatised tooth may change colour or lose its vitality several weeks after the accident. Check-ups make it possible to monitor its progress and intervene if necessary.

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Treatment of dental trauma at Cabinet Dentaire de la Madeleine

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Dental trauma

Frequently asked questions

Can a tooth be damaged even if it is not loose?

Yes. An impact can affect the pulp or the tissues supporting the tooth without causing a visible fracture or displacement. An examination makes it possible to assess the situation.

Why does a tooth turn grey after an impact?

A change in colour may indicate a reaction in the pulp following the trauma. It is important to contact the dental surgeon again so that the tooth can be checked.

Can a knocked-out baby tooth be put back in place?

No. A knocked-out baby tooth must never be reimplanted, to avoid the risk of damaging the developing permanent tooth.

Should I keep a piece of broken tooth?

Yes. Place it in milk or saline solution and bring it to the consultation. Depending on the fracture, it may sometimes be possible to reattach it.

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Surgery

Cabinet Dentaire de la Madeleine

Your dental surgeons in Paris for Dental trauma

Diplôme de la Faculté de Chirurgie-Dentaire de Paris 5 Descartes
DU d'Implantologie Chirurgicale et Prothétique Université Paris 7 Diderot
Certificat d’implantologie de l’AIIO
Formation aligneurs Invisalign

Endodontie Exclusive

Dr. Alexa Elmaleh

Micro-chirurgie Endodontique

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Diplôme d'État de docteur en chirurgie dentaire - Faculté d'odontologie de Montpellier
Ancienne assistante hospitalo-universitaire - service endodontie
Master 2 de recherche en science de l'éducation - Université Paul Valéry - Montpellier
Certificat d'études européen de dentisterie laser assistée - Faculté d'odontologie de Garancière - Paris 7
Certificat d'études supérieures en prothèse fixée - Faculté d'odontologie de Montpellier
Certificat d'études supérieures de prothèse maxillo-faciale - Faculté d'odontologie de Montpellier
Diplôme universitaire d'odontologie légale - Faculté d'odontologie de Montpellier

Endodontie Exclusive

Dr. Sofia Dubois

Micro-chirurgie Endodontique

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The solutions we offer

Our treatments for Dental trauma

Endodontics

Diagnose and treat conditions affecting the inside of the tooth.

Discover the treatment Endodontics

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Contact our dental practice
in Paris Madeleine

8 Boulevard de la Madeleine, 75009 Paris

MMadeleine (lignes 8, 14 et 12) et Opéra (ligne 3)
BUSMadeleine – Vignon (lignes 42 et 52)
RERAuber (ligne A)

PMadeleine-Tronchet (21 Pl. de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris)

PEdouard 7 (16 Rue Bruno Coquatrix, 75009 Paris)

Ouvert du lundi au samedi — 09h30-19h LUN / VEND - 09h30-19h

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Dental trauma / a blow to a tooth

What is dental trauma?