One minute your smile is good enough for a Hollywood close-up, and the next, you look like the wicked witch of the west. A broken tooth can be quite painful and alarming, but knowing what to do about it can help your mind and help practical matters. Whether it’s a minor chip or a severe break, taking the right steps before seeing a dentist can make a difference in protecting your tooth. Ideally, you never need emergency dental care in Bloomington, IN. But if you do, here’s how to handle the situation until you can see the dentist for treatment.

Assess the Damage

A small chip may not be an immediate emergency where you have to drop what you’re doing, but a tooth with a large crack, sharp edges or exposed nerves often requires urgent care, if only to alleviate accompanying pain or intense bleeding.

Protect the Tooth and Reduce Pain

Rinse your mouth with warm water to remove any debris and prevent infection. Don’t slosh the water around like you’re mining for gold flakes. Just a very gentle rinse is all that’s needed here. We recommend using ambient temperature distilled water with a little bit of salt sprinkled in. If there’s bleeding, gently press a piece of gauze or a clean cloth against the area until it stops. Applying a cold compress to the outside of the mouth can help reduce swelling and numb discomfort. If the cold doesn’t work, try a heating pad.

If the broken tooth has sharp edges, covering it with dental wax or sugar-free gum can protect your tongue and cheeks from cuts. Avoid chewing on the affected side and stick to soft foods until your dentist evaluates the damage.

Seeing a dentist in Bloomington, IN as soon as possible is the best way to prevent complications from a broken tooth. Contact us for help right away.