What Causes a Bruised Tooth?

Did you know that, just like a knee or elbow, you can bruise a tooth? If you ever sustain trauma to your teeth, make sure to contact your trusted team at Avalon Dental Care right away. We will do everything it takes to preserve an injured tooth and to restore its health. You can always count on us for quality, gentle care.

What Causes a Bruised Tooth?

A bruised tooth usually results from injury or trauma. It can also result from biting your nails, grinding or clenching your teeth, biting down on hard foods, or undergoing multiple dental procedures. 

What are the Symptoms of a Bruised Tooth?

Common symptoms of a bruised tooth include discoloration, sensitivity, inflammation, bleeding of the gums, or persisting toothache or soreness. It’s not uncommon to experience a lingering ache from the blow to the ligaments that support the affected and act as shock absorbers to cushion and protect your teeth. With too much pressure, these ligaments can become sprained, damaged, and inflamed, a condition known as sprained tooth syndrome (STS).

How is a Bruised Tooth Treated?

If your tooth has suffered trauma but is not cracked or moved in its socket, the first course of treatment is monitoring and protecting the affected tooth from further damage. We will ask you to return for a series of follow-up appointments, during which we will check for problems such as sensitivity or an abscess. In some cases, a root canal may be necessary to save a bruised tooth. 

We may recommend refraining from eating hard foods. If a tooth is bruised due to grinding, a condition known as bruxism, a custom mouthguard can help protect your teeth from further damage and will give your bruised tooth and ligaments a chance to heal. 

How Can You Prevent Bruising a Tooth?

Many bruised teeth result from sports trauma. It is important to wear a sports mouthguard to protect your teeth and prevent a bruised tooth or other injuries during athletic activities. 

Quality Dental Care Near Me

Contact Avalon Dental Care in the El Segundo and Carson areas to learn more about the prevention and treatment of tooth injuries. We are committed to providing our valued patients with outstanding, gentle care. Call us and schedule your appointment today.