ToothSOS: App helps in the crucial seconds after dental injury

Have you ever lost or broken a tooth?

While trauma occurs in every age bracket from accidents, falls or sports injury, children and seniors have the highest rates.

Your dentist is the best place to call first, but what if it’s Friday at 5 PM? The School of Dentistry offers an emergency clinic for walk-in patients at the University of Alberta Hospital. Many people with purely dental trauma end up in the emergency room, which is usually not staffed to treat dental issues.

Dr. Liran Levin, professor at the School of Dentistry, says it’s critical to know what to do and where to go in the first few minutes after trauma. “It would be even better to prevent the trauma,” Levin says. “But we can’t run around with a mouth guard all day!”

For athletes, having a custom mouthguard made might be something to consider. For older adults, making sure your house is outfitted to prevent falls the best prevention.

The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) created a free mobile app called ToothSOS that helps navigate dental trauma. Levin highly recommends having it on your phone in case something happens.

Common trauma: Tooth knocked out. Immediately try putting the tooth back into its place, every second is crucial. If you can’t, store it in milk. Go to your dentist, or an emergency dentist as soon as possible.

Crown broken: Store the broken part in water and see your dentist when you can. Go to your dentist.

Cut tongue or lip: Keep calm! It might seem like a lot of blood. Apply pressure with gauze or soft cloth. Go to your dentist (when you can). If it doesn’t stop bleeding, visit an emergency dentist or the ER.