Mouth And Dental Injuries: Check Your Symptoms

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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.
• A jaw injury: Go to the topic Facial Injuries.

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

Last updated:	September 26, 2008
Author:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Steven K. Patterson, BSc, DDS, MPH - Dentist
Editors:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC, Tracy Landauer