Bruised Tooth: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Similar to how bruised skin reacts, any tooth that experiences trauma will also bruise, as soft tissues absorb impactful forces while ligaments absorb shocks causing capillaries to burst and result in discolored, discolored tooth surfaces, reports Colgate.

Bumps on gums are common among children. Learning to identify them early will help avoid further trauma & encourage faster healing.

Causes

Although less severe than an infection, a bruised tooth still requires attention.

Left untreated, it could lead to dental complications as the ligament becomes unprotected and worsens further; eventually bruising may spread to the gums as well.

To treat and protect their bruised tooth properly, patients can eat soft foods and avoid chewing directly on the affected area; alternatively, they could use a cold compress to ease pain relief.

Symptoms of a bruised tooth can often be easily recognized. The primary sign is pain; usually dull and achy like that caused by sprained fingers rather than sharp and localized to one tooth like in infection cases.

Furthermore, discoloration on affected teeth could occur as well – pinkish hues could appear or grey may take hold in them.

A bruised tooth can be the result of many actions, from grinding your teeth or biting down on hard foods, sinus issues and even being hit in the mouth by another object, to dental procedures, sports injuries, or accidents.

But oral trauma should always be considered a threat when considering this matter.

If you experience a persistent toothache or notice changes in the color of your teeth, contact Brightwork Family Dentistry in Richmond Virginia for a consultation.

We offer home treatment strategies that may supplement professional care in treating bruised tooth pain as well as helping prevent future issues.

Symptoms

Just like its physical equivalent, tooth bruising results from physical trauma to a tooth.

According to Colgate, an impact causes blood vessels to burst and leak into nearby tissue resulting in discoloration – giving that black-and-blue appearance we all recognize.

An injured tooth can become sensitive to cold temperatures, chewing, or other activities that apply pressure to it.

If the pain becomes intense it’s wise to visit your dentist immediately for an assessment and treatment plan.

Some conditions can also contribute to tooth bruxism, including nighttime grinding of the teeth, sinus issues, low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) & sports injuries.

People living with thrombocytopenia have difficulty with blood cells forming clots properly resulting in excessive bleeding at sites of injuries or cuts sustained from physical contact resulting in excessive bleeding at injury sites or cuts.

Most cases of tooth bruising don’t require professional medical intervention and will resolve over time on their own.

Home remedies, including eating soft foods, applying cold compresses, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers every 8 hours may help speed healing processes.

Clenching and grinding habits should be addressed using a mouth guard, to avoid future dental injuries; in addition, dentists can check your bite to assess any possible issues with your teeth.

Treatment

If a bruised tooth is left untreated for too long, it could progress into an infected nerve and necessitate immediate dental treatment to preserve it.

Telltale symptoms include an unprovoked throbbing sensation that does not subside even when biting down or chewing, discoloration of a bruised tooth is also an indicator that root canal therapy should be sought as soon as possible to save damaged teeth from further complications.

Treatment options for a bruised tooth vary, but generally include resting the affected area and eating soft foods, while over-the-counter pain relievers can often provide effective relief; in severe cases, a dentist may prescribe stronger medication as required.

Furthermore, in certain instances, a dental splint may be placed to protect and support the affected tooth while it heals.

Dentists may recommend mouth guards to patients who grind and clench their teeth, to protect the enamel and ligaments as well as provide relief from bruising caused by this habit.

When associated with medical conditions such as thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), blood transfusion may be required to increase platelet levels and alleviate pain caused by this behavior.

Prevention

Bruised tooth syndrome can be avoided through proactive measures like using mouth guards for compulsive teeth clenching/grinding/biting habits such as nail biting.

Breaking bad habits that cause repetitive trauma also is important to avoid further discomfort; if pain persists despite attempts at prevention, see your dentist immediately to rule out infection as the source of symptoms.

Your dental ligaments act as shock absorbers to help cushion daily hits from life without causing lasting damage or injuries, yet too much pressure on this connective tissue may bruise or sprain it by rupturing tiny blood vessels below its surface, leading to dull and sometimes sharp pain associated with this condition.

Most bruised teeth will heal on their own without treatment as long as the source is removed, however, if severe pain, bleeding, discolored &/or swollen teeth occur it should be seen by a dentist immediately.

If you have been experiencing repeated tooth bruises, Designer Smiles in Richmond VA offers effective solutions.

Our knowledgeable dentist will assess the symptoms and suggest the most suitable course of action to alleviate pain and facilitate healing. Contact us now to set up a consultation appointment!