Dental injuries can happen in an instant, especially during sports, falls, or accidents. While knocked-out teeth are more widely discussed, another equally serious situation is when a tooth is knocked inward, also known as tooth intrusion. This type of dental trauma involves the tooth being pushed back into the socket, often accompanied by pain, bleeding, and potential damage to surrounding structures. At McLevin Dental Clinic, we emphasize the importance of knowing how to respond quickly and correctly in such situations.
If you or someone in your care experiences a tooth being knocked inward, this blog will guide you through immediate at-home measures and explain when and why professional dental treatment is necessary.
What Does It Mean When a Tooth Is Knocked Inward?
A tooth intrusion is a traumatic dental injury where the tooth is forcibly driven deeper into the jawbone. It often occurs in children due to softer bone structures, but adults are not immune. This condition can affect baby teeth or permanent teeth and may cause:
Visible shortening of the tooth
Pain or discomfort on pressure
Bleeding from the gums
Difficulty biting or chewing
Damage to the tooth root, pulp, or jawbone
This injury requires urgent dental intervention, but there are a few things you can do at home while preparing for your emergency visit.
Immediate Steps to Take at Home
1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
Keep the individual calm and still. Check for other injuries first, especially if the trauma was significant (like a fall or accident). Dental trauma often accompanies head or facial injuries, so make sure there are no signs of concussion, nosebleed, or unconsciousness.
2. Avoid Touching or Moving the Tooth
Do not attempt to pull, push, or reposition the tooth yourself. Forcibly adjusting a knocked-in tooth can cause further damage to the tooth root, surrounding bone, and ligaments.
3. Apply a Cold Compress to Reduce Swelling
Place a cold compress on the outside of the cheek near the injured area. This helps minimize swelling, numbs the area, and offers some pain relief while you wait for emergency care.
4. Manage Bleeding Gently
If there is gum bleeding, gently bite down on clean gauze or a soft cloth. Avoid applying pressure directly on the intruded tooth. Keep the patient sitting upright to reduce blood flow to the head and lessen bleeding.
5. Offer Over-the-Counter Pain Relief (If Necessary)
If the individual is in pain and there are no allergies, you may offer acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gumsit can irritate the tissue.
Why You Should See a Dentist Immediately
Tooth intrusion is a true dental emergency that can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly. These may include:
Pulpal necrosis (death of the tooth’s nerve)
Root resorption (body starts to dissolve the root)
Infection or abscess formation
Permanent damage to developing teeth in children
Loss of the affected tooth
At McLevin Dental Clinic, we will evaluate the extent of the trauma using digital X-rays, assess the surrounding bone and root structure, and determine the best course of action. Treatment may involve repositioning the tooth, stabilizing it with a splint, performing root canal therapy, or ongoing observationespecially in younger patients with baby teeth.
What Not to Do When a Tooth Is Knocked Inward
Do not try to reposition the tooth at home
Do not delay professional carethe longer you wait, the higher the risk of complications
Do not chew on the injured side or eat hard foods
Avoid using oral numbing gels on the injured site unless advised by your dentist
Quick, appropriate action followed by timely professional care offers the best chance of saving the tooth and avoiding long-term complications.
Follow-Up and Recovery
After initial treatment, ongoing monitoring is essential. Intruded teeth, particularly in young children, may re-erupt naturally, while others may require orthodontic or endodontic (root canal) care. Follow your dentists instructions closely and attend all follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing.
Your dentist may recommend:
Soft diet for several days
Antibacterial mouth rinses to prevent infection
Avoiding contact sports or rough play during healing
Periodic X-rays to track root and bone healing
Trust McLevin Dental Clinic for Emergency Dental Trauma Care
A tooth knocked inward is a serious dental issuebut its one that can be treated effectively when addressed promptly. At McLevin Dental Clinic, our emergency dental care team in Scarborough is equipped to handle all types of dental trauma, from minor chips to severe intrusions.