Traumatic Injuries When most people think about dental injuries, issues, and emergencies, the teeth are the most common thing to come to mind. However, the teeth are not always the only thing affected by injuries to the mouth. In many cases, the soft tissue, including the gums, can also be impacted. The gums can be affected by a variety of different issues, including cuts, burns, contusions, and more. The severity of gum injuries varies. Some can be treated at home while others may require professional attention. In the case of injured gums, Duggan Endodontics can help.Cuts to Gum TissueWhen a gum injury occurs, it can be a scary situation. Most gum injuries do not bleed excessively. However, when blood mixes with saliva, it can look like a lot. If a gum injury occurs that causes bleeding, rinse your mouth out with a salt water solution. This will help to kill bacteria. If there are any foreign materials in your mouth, carefully clean them out by hand and rinse your mouth again. When your gums are bleeding, gauze or another clean cloth-like material can be used to help to stop it. First, moisten the gauze and then place it over the wound. Hold it in place with gentle pressure. This will help clots to form, which will stop the bleeding. Call our office to schedule an appointment. We can assess the extent of the damage and administer any necessary treatments. If your bleeding persists after 15 minutes of trying to stop it, seek immediate medical attention. Objects Stuck in the TissueIn some instances, an object may become stuck between the teeth and your gums. Certain types of foods, such as popcorn kernels, are known for doing this. Other objects, such as toothpick splinters or fingernails, can also become lodged. When this happens, the object can irritate the tissue, and could potentially cause an infection, so it is important to gently floss your teeth to try and remove it. Do not force the floss, or the object, as it may become lodged deeper. If you cannot dislodge the object, call our office to make an appointment. We are equipped with specialized tools that can enable us to find the object and safely remove it. If necessary, we can also provide antibiotics to help prevent the development of an infection. AbscessesIf an infection occurs, a periodontal abscess may form. An abscess is a pus-filled sac that forms between your teeth and your gums. Infections can be caused by food trapped below the gum line or may occur as a result of gum disease. Abscesses often cause significant pain and pressure. In some cases, the abscess may drain into the mouth through a small opening, which can alleviate the pain and pressure but can also cause a bad taste in your mouth. If an abscess goes untreated, it only continues to grow larger. It can also rupture, which can then allow bacteria to enter into your bloodstream. When this happens, the bacteria travel throughout your body, triggering inflammation and contributing to serious health issues such as heart disease and stroke. Treating gum injuries, whether at home or in our office, can help to alleviate pain and prevent serious issues. If you have any questions or concerns or need to schedule an appointment, call Duggan Endodontics today at (512)-380-0777. |
