Teeth are very strong, but they are far from indestructible. If you accidentally bite on a hard object, take a fall, or have a mishap while playing sports, you could easily end up with a broken tooth. If that ever happens to you, do not panic. Instead, take fast action to protect your oral health. What exactly should you do? This blog post provides practical guidance on how to handle a broken tooth.
Call an Emergency Dentist
Many dentists are willing to modify their schedule to accommodate urgent cases. After breaking your tooth, call a trustworthy local provider and tell them what happened. They can offer advice on at-home care, and they will book you for an appointment as soon as possible.
Seeking professional care right away is especially important if the damage to your tooth is severe. For example, if you can see its interior layers, such as yellowish dentist or reddish pulp.
Prevent Additional Damage
You want to reduce the risk of additional damage to the tooth. To that end, you should:
- Avoid chewing or biting with the broken tooth.
- Do not unnecessarily touch the tooth or play with it.
- Cover any exposed rough edges with orthodontic wax or sugar-free chewing gum.
Manage Any Discomfort
Depending on the severity of the damage, a broken tooth can cause significant pain. To minimize your discomfort, you can:
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Apply a cold compress for 15 – 20 minutes at a time to minimize swelling.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to wash away any debris.
- Swish with warm salt water to soothe inflammation and fight bacteria.
- Keep the area clean, but be very gentle during your oral hygiene routine.
How Your Dentist Can Help
When you arrive at your emergency appointment, your dentist will examine your tooth before advising you on your next steps. If the damage is minor, dental bonding might be able to restore the tooth’s shape and appearance in just one appointment. However, if the damage extends into the tooth’s interior, you may need more extensive care. For example, you might need root canal therapy followed by a crown. If there is no reasonable way to repair the tooth, your dentist may have to extract it. Later, you can consider your tooth replacement options.
A broken tooth is a bummer, but it does not have to permanently derail your oral health. Call your dentist and take other practical steps to manage the situation.
Meet the Practice
At Family Dental Practice of Newington, we strive to see emergency patients as soon as possible. We offer thorough and compassionate care in a welcoming environment. We can use crowns and other restorations to repair damaged teeth. If you have an urgent oral health problem, do not hesitate to get in touch with us at 860-856-6201.