While you may do your best to avoid dental emergencies, your chances of experiencing one are never zero. You might’ve accidentally damaged your smile and are now lost on what you should do. It’s important you act fast to prevent any more harm and get the relief you deserve. Here is how to handle a broken tooth and what your dentist can do to get your grin back to pristine.
What Do I Do If I Break a Tooth?
The first thing you should do is take a breath. It’s easy to get worried and work yourself up, so try your best to remain calm. Afterward, take a look at the damage. If it’s minor, then you may only have a cosmetic issue at hand. The tooth may not be in any immediate harm, but the sharp edge can cut your cheek or tongue if you aren’t careful. Cover it with dental wax or sugarless gum until you can visit your dentist.
More severe breaks may leave the inner pulp exposed, so you should follow these steps instead:
- Find the piece of your tooth that broke off and place it in a clean container.
- Rinse with warm salt water to remove bacteria and debris from your mouth. There might be parts of your tooth lingering, so avoid swallowing them.
- Take over-the-counter medication or use a cold pack to reduce discomfort.
- Call your dentist right away. Let them know if you see any red pulp or yellow dentin, and they can give you more advice about your situation.
How Is a Broken Tooth Fixed?
No matter what, your provider will likely try to pencil you in. When you get to your appointment, they will start by giving you relief from any pain you’re in and then perform an oral assessment and do X-rays.
This will give them information about the extent of the damage and what options can fix it effectively. Minor chips may get a tooth-colored filling, while more severe cracks often call for a crown. If the inner pulp is exposed or affected, then a root canal can help prevent an infection.
In some cases, an extraction may be necessary. However, your dentist will first work to save the natural structure. If nothing will give you the reliable and effective results you deserve, then this route can help preserve your oral health.
While a broken tooth can be stressful, be sure to follow the steps above right away. Stay calm and head to your dentist to get back to a confident smile you feel your best in.
About the Practice
At Silfa Dental, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Publio Silfa and Dr. Ari Koutsoubis. We are dedicated to helping the Commack community with their dental emergencies, such as a broken tooth. By offering same-day, after-hours, and weekend assistance, we can give you the solution you need to get relief sooner rather than later. If you have broken a tooth, schedule an appointment or call our office at (631) 651-1322.
