Dental emergencies can happen to anyone, including you. If you find yourself in a situation that causes trauma to your mouth — such as a chipped or knocked-out tooth — the information here should help ease the pain and avoid permanent damage.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Here are six important things to remember if you break or crack a tooth.
1. Rinse Your Mouth with Warm Water
Immediately after breaking a tooth, rinse your mouth out with warm water. This crucial step keeps the area clean by washing away blood or traces of dirt. Keep in mind that the part of your tooth that chipped off may still be in your mouth, and a quick rinse will help find it. Leaving the broken tooth in your mouth raises your risk of swallowing it or harming other teeth by accidentally biting down on it.
2. Try to Stop the Bleeding
If the dental trauma causes bleeding, apply pressure to the area using gauze or a clean towel right away. This essential step can help stop the bleeding and minimize the risk of ingesting excess blood. Be careful not to rub the area, as it may cause irritation, pain, and increased bleeding. Simply maintain steady pressure on your tooth or gums with minimal movement.
In case of excessive bleeding, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room. Your dental injury may be more serious than a broken tooth. Moreover, if your dental accident was a result of trauma to the head, you may need further medical assistance.
3. Preserve the Tooth
If your whole tooth pulls away from your mouth, try to find it as quickly as possible. There is a chance that your dentist can save and replace it. If you locate the tooth, give it a quick rinse before submerging it in milk or saline solution. Soaking the tooth in water is also an option if you do not have either. The sooner you arrive at your California dental office, the higher your chances are of saving the tooth.
Conversely, if your tooth has not completely pulled away from its socket but is loose, leave it in your mouth. Extracting your own tooth can cause heavy bleeding and a heightened risk of infection.
4. Apply a Cold Compress
Applying a cold compress to the injured area can help alleviate pain and reduce swelling. The cold plays a role in constricting blood vessels and slowing the blood flow to that part of the mouth. This critical step helps numb the area, minimize inflammation, and stop any bleeding. If you do not have a cold pack in the freezer, fill a ziplock bag with ice and wrap it with a clean towel before pressing gently against the injured area.
5. Take Over-the-Counter Pain Medication
If you are in pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease your discomfort. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) effectively soothe pain and minimize inflammation. Among the most common over-the-counter NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Take one before heading out to see your dentist.
6. See Your Dentist Immediately
Going to your dentist as soon as possible is the most important step to take after cracking or chipping a tooth. Even when there is no pain or bleeding, you should never assume that everything is okay. The smallest fracture can still weaken your tooth and cause several dental problems down the road.
If you have a friend or family member with you, ask them to call your dentist immediately. Inform them that you are coming in with a dental emergency. This way, your dentist will be better prepared to help you by having an idea of what to expect. If you have your tooth soaking in milk, saline solution, or clean water, make sure to bring that with you. If not too much time has passed, your dentist may still salvage the tooth and put it back in its socket.
Dental Treatments for Broken or Chipped Teeth
Here at Cunning Dental, there are several ways we can treat a chipped or broken tooth, depending on how severe the damage is. Your dental emergency treatment options include:
Dental Filling. If only a small portion of your tooth has chipped off, a non-metal filling is often enough to repair the damage. A dentist will fill the hole with a composite resin, which solidifies, hardens, and protects the tooth.
Dental Crown. When a large piece of your tooth breaks off, there may not be enough of the tooth's structure left to fill with a non-metal filling. When this happens, a dental crown is necessary to cover the tooth and protect the sensitive nerves underneath.
Root Canal. The dental pulp can become infected when a tooth is broken. When this occurs, your dentist will perform a root canal to remove the infection before placing a dental crown on the tooth.
Dental Bridge. If a dental extraction is the only solution left due to severe damage, a dental bridge can fill the gap. It involves using two abutment teeth to anchor an artificial tooth to fill in the space left by the missing tooth.
Dental Implant. Dental implants have become the latest option for replacing a missing tooth, mainly because they look, feel, and act like natural teeth. If your tooth has pulled away completely or your dentist needs to remove it, a dental implant is an excellent option.
Depending on the severity of your dental accident, treatments may vary and your general dentist will discuss the best options available for your situation.
A Final Word
Remember, seeing your dentist as soon as possible is a non-negotiable step to make after breaking, chipping, or losing a tooth. Never assume everything is fine without a dental professional's opinion.
Cunning Dental is Here to Your Rescue
Our team has the skills and equipment to handle any dental emergency. Contact us to receive immediate care from a top California dentist. Please, do not sit around in pain a moment longer. Act now before it's too late.
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