Dental and facial injuries are common but not always obvious. People need to be aware of dental and facial trauma signs and symptoms to get proper treatment as soon as possible. Dental injuries can cause pain, bleeding, infection, or loss of teeth, while facial injuries can result in bruising or swelling around the eyes or nose. In Woodlands, Texas, some centers are ready to solve these injuries. The Woodlands dental and facial injuries specialists first diagnose before treatment. The following is a list of some common dental and facial injuries.

  1. Fractured Bones

Fractured bones are another common dental and facial injury. A broken bone is a break in the continuity of the bone. Often, it can be a simple fracture, a gap in the bone without any displacement of the bone fragments. It could be a compound fracture, a break in the bone with the removal of the bone.

The most common symptoms of a fractured bone are pain, swelling, and bruising. If you think you may have a fractured bone, it is vital to seek medical attention right away. Untreated fractures can lead to infection, delayed healing, or even death.

  1. Facial Lacerations

A facial laceration is a cut or tears on the face. Facial lacerations on the upper and lower lips and the tongue can be especially dangerous because they can cause significant bleeding, interfere with breathing and swallowing, and increase the risk of infection.

Animal bites are a common cause of facial lacerations. If you have a facial laceration, medical attention should be sought immediately, even if the bleeding seems to have stopped.

There are four degrees of facial lacerations:

  • First-degree 

This type of facial laceration only affects the outer layer of skin (epidermis). There is no tissue loss, and it does not extend more profoundly than the dermis. These lacerations are not usually severe and can be treated with cold compresses and antibiotic ointment at home.

  • Second-degree 

This type of facial laceration extends into the deeper layer of skin (dermis). It does not advance to the level of tendons, muscles, or other tissues. This type of laceration will bleed more than a first-degree facial laceration and can cause tissue damage if not treated. Antibiotic ointment and stitching the wound closed with sutures or staples may be necessary to treat this type of injury.

  • Third-degree 

Third-degree facial laceration extends into the deep layer of skin and may involve the muscle, tendon, or bone. This type of laceration can cause significant bleeding and tissue damage. It often requires surgery to repair the damage.

  1. Intraoral Lacerations

An injury inside the mouth involves intraoral laceration of the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, or other soft tissue. A common cause of this type of laceration is mouth-biting after an external force. It can also happen if an individual falls onto their face, causing an intraoral laceration. Facial cosmetic surgeons can make the necessary diagnosis and treatment of the problem.

If you’re experiencing dental or facial trauma, it is vital to know the signs and symptoms of your injury. If you think you may have a fractured bone, seek medical attention right away. There are problems such as facial and intraoral lacerations, which they can help you with.