Facial Trauma: When to Seek Care
Severe injuries to the face can cause a great deal of pain, both physically and emotionally—and require quick emergency care from an oral and maxillofacial specialist. For example, according to the American Association of Endodontists, you should visit a specialist within 30 minutes of knocking out a tooth.
Learn what types of injuries can cause facial trauma, what symptoms to watch out for and what to do to receive the best care possible, so you can act quickly when an accident happens.
Emergency Facial Trauma Explained
Facial trauma involves damage to the bones or soft tissue in your face, including your:
- Cheeks
- Eye sockets
- Forehead
- Jaw (upper and lower)
- Nose
Oral and maxillofacial specialists are specially qualified to treat facial trauma in emergency settings. Common causes for facial trauma include:
- Animal bites
- Assaults
- Burns
- Car accidents
- Falls
- Interpersonal violence
- Sports injuries
- Workplace injuries
Facial Trauma Symptoms
Facial trauma symptoms can vary greatly depending on the cause of injury and where on the face the injury occurs. The following facial trauma symptoms are signs you need to seek emergency care:
- Breathing problems due to swelling or bleeding
- Broken, deformed or uneven facial bones
- Difficulty speaking or chewing
- Drooling
- Facial numbness
- Missing teeth
- Pain
- Sunken or bulging eyeballs
- Vision problems due to swelling or bruising
Types of Facial Trauma
An oral and maxillofacial specialist is highly skilled and trained to treat several types of facial trauma, including:
- Cuts or tears in the skin. Also called facial lacerations, this type of damage to the face’s soft tissue requires suturing (stitches) to close the skin. An oral and maxillofacial specialist will take care to inspect and treat associated nerves and glands and be mindful of long-term cosmetic results.
- Fractured bones and jaw. You can fracture bones in your cheek, nose, eye socket and upper and lower jaw. Unlike other bones, fractured facial bones can’t be put in a splint or a cast. An oral and maxillofacial specialist is experienced in different stabilization methods to maintain your appearance.
- Injuries to the inside of the mouth. Also called intraoral lacerations, this type of injury can affect the lips, tongue, gums, throat and more. A specialist can provide careful treatment to preserve your mouth’s functioning and avoid permanent damage.
- Knocked-out (avulsed) tooth. An oral surgeon is specially trained in replanting teeth as quickly as possible.
How to Find an Emergency Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Near Me
If you’re in an accident or are severely injured, you need to go to the emergency room. Most hospitals have oral and maxillofacial specialists on staff or on call who can provide emergency care. Once you’re stabilized, ask if an oral and maxillofacial specialist is on site to provide treatment. If there isn’t a specialist on site, the hospital staff may refer you to one.
What to Do Before You Get to the Emergency Room
If you or someone you’re with experiences facial trauma, there are some things you can do to help:
- Control any bleeding by applying direct pressure to the cut with a clean cloth.
- Limit movement and avoid pressure unless you’re trying to control bleeding.
- Save your tooth by putting it in salt water or milk as soon as possible.
Find Expert Care
If you or someone you love experiences facial trauma, Midwest Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is here to help. Our skilled and caring oral surgeons are ready to provide round-the-clock care in-office or in an emergency room setting. Learn more.
