An Unexpected Chipped or Broken Tooth Needs Immediate Attention
You risk suffering permanent damage to your teeth if you don’t take care of a tooth that suddenly got chipped or broken. Here’s what you can do to make sure that you stay well and safe.
Emergency Dentistry
Dental emergencies are inconvenient and embarrassing at best, and dangerous at worst. Whether you’ve chipped your tooth or completely lost one because of an injury, it’s essential to know the dentist nearest to you so that you go there immediately for treatment. The crucial factor is time. It’s often the difference between saving your tooth or losing it.
What should I know about dental emergencies?
When you suffer a dental emergency, it’s common to panic. After all, it’s a scary moment. Your body has suffered trauma, and a part of you that doesn’t grow back has been damaged. It’s normal for your mind to race with fear of the unknown. The good news is that tooth emergencies rarely escalate to the level of a medical emergency. That’s because dentists are trained in a wide range of techniques that restore and repair your natural teeth. So there’s no need to panic. Simply call our office for an appointment and follow the advice that we provide to you. You’re going to need to keep the injured area as clean as possible to prevent any potential bacteria from causing an infection.
What should I do if I have a dental emergency?
While dental emergencies aren't life-threatening, it’s a good idea to take rapid preventive measures to improve your chances of a quick recovery.
If you have a cracked tooth, it’s very important to rinse your mouth clean and apply a cold compress until you see our dentist for treatment. For adult tooth loss due to injury, keep it moist. You can try to push the tooth back in place gently. If that does not work, place your tooth in milk or an approved product that preserves it. You need to seek treatment for this type of dental emergency immediately. We can’t stress enough that time is critical to usability. The sooner you can get treatment, the greater the chances that we can reimplant your tooth without complication.
If your child loses a tooth, please bear in mind that they will not suffer long-term effects from the loss. Their teeth are not yet permanent, and they will be growing mature teeth in the future. If you notice any blood in the area where the tooth fell out, apply a small amount of pressure with a sterile cloth to control the bleeding. Then contact our office. We’ll schedule an appointment for you to come in for an exam and a follow-up consultation.
If you’re experiencing pain, we suggest that you take an over-the-counter medication for pain relief. Orajel or acetaminophen are ideal choices because they are fast-acting. You can find them in most pharmacies. You can apply Orajel or any other oral local anesthetic directly to the painful area. You can also take acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol. This will help reduce the pain.
If you have a toothache, use a warm water rinse to wash away any debris that might be present.
If you’re experiencing swelling, we suggest that you use a cold compress. Check your gums to see if there is any food present in or around the gums. If there is, you should try to remove it carefully. You can use floss or a soft toothbrush to try to gently dislodge it, but under no circumstances should you use anything pointed or sharp. This can cause more severe injuries or complications.
If you suffer from a bit lip or tongue, clean it with tepid water and apply a cold compress.
When you have any dental emergencies, it’s crucial for you to contact us as soon as you can so that you can receive treatment in a timely manner. The sooner you get treatment, the lower the chances that you’ll have any complications. Don’t neglect your teeth. Maintain your dental health.
What can I do to avoid dental emergencies?
Precaution is typically the most common way to avoid injury or accidents. Here are a few simple things you can do to prevent the type of circumstances that require emergency treatment.
When engaged in any sport, wear a mouthguard.
Avoid using your teeth to cut or open things.
Avoid biting down on hard surfaces like ice, candy, or popcorn.