What to Do If You Break a Tooth

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A broken tooth is a common dental problem that can happen without warning. Maybe you bit into something and felt it crack, or it broke when you fell or took an elbow during your weekend basketball game. However it happens, prompt action will minimize the damage and save your smile.

Immediately After Breaking the Tooth

The first steps after breaking a tooth are critical. Start by assessing the damage. Rinse your mouth out with warm water and look.

Check to see if there is any bleeding. If so, apply direct pressure with clean gauze. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, call your emergency dentist in Indianapolis, IN, immediately to get instructions on what to do.

Also, look for any missing pieces of the tooth. Check inside your mouth first. If possible, avoid swallowing any of the teeth. Also, look around you to see if any flew out of your mouth.

Collect as much of the broken tooth as possible and place the pieces in a sealed container. Take that with you to the dentist.

Manage Pain

A broken tooth may cause some pain and swelling. Apply a cold compress to the cheek nearest the tooth. You may be able to take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Ask the dentist when you call.

Is a Broken Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A broken tooth is a dental emergency because bacteria can get inside the tooth and cause more damage. It may also enter your bloodstream through the break, affecting your overall health.

So, if you break a tooth, call your emergency dentist in all your emergency dentist in Indianapolis, IN, as soon as you notice. This will allow you to make an appointment to be seen and to discuss ways to restore the tooth.

How to Handle a Broken Tooth Until You Can See a Dentist

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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.