Breaking a tooth can be very scary but staying calm and knowing what steps to take in the moments afterward can make it a lot easier. If you’ve accidentally damaged your smile, don’t panic. Here’s what you should do next to help protect your injured tooth from further damage.
Help! I Broke My Tooth! Now what?
The first thing you should do after breaking a tooth is rinse your mouth well with water to wash away any sharp fragments and clear any bacteria or food particles from the injury. If you are bleeding, apply pressure to the wound with a piece of gauze or washcloth. If the bleeding doesn’t stop within about ten minutes, go directly to your nearest emergency room for help.
If you are not bleeding and are able to speak, your next step should be to call your emergency dentist. Don’t use the webform on their website, as this may not get an immediate response. Instead, call speak directly to someone on the staff and explain the situation, including the condition of the tooth and your soft tissue. Your dental team will make sure that you’re seen as soon as possible. You may need to come in immediately, or it could be okay to wait. They will help you make that decision during the call.
If you cannot see your dentist immediately, be sure to take care of the tooth in the meantime by avoiding using it to chew. You can still brush around it, however, do not brush it directly unless given the okay by your dentist. You can soothe it and keep it clean by swishing some warm salt water until it can be repaired.
How Do You Treat a Broken Tooth?
Once you arrive at your emergency dental appointment, your dentist will examine the tooth and take X-rays to ensure that there is no damage below the gumline. If there is, you may need to have any remaining portion of the tooth extracted. If it is fixable, there are a few options that could be used, including:
- CEREC dental crowns: A CEREC dental crown can often be used to repair larger breaks. These deluxe fillings fit over the damaged tooth like a cap. Crowns look and feel like a natural tooth and even boast full chewing capabilities. With proper care and use, they can last ten or more years before needing replacement. These crowns are manufactured right at your dentist’s office on the same day as your appointment, so you can leave with a fully restored and functional smile!
- Tooth-colored fillings: Tooth colored fillings are composite resin restorations that can rebuild the damaged area of a tooth. They are best for smaller breaks and chips. Much like a crown, they are tooth-colored, natural looking, and fully functional, and can last from five to ten years with proper care and use.
Your dentist will determine the best method for restoring your tooth at your emergency appointment. If for any reason your tooth cannot be repaired, your dentist may recommend extracting it and replacing it with a dental implant or bridge.
Remember, when it comes to your smile, accidents happen, but it’s important to not panic if they do. If you break a tooth, take a deep breath, take care of your injury, and contact your emergency dentist for help as soon as possible.
About Our Practice
At MJM Family & Cosmetic Dentistry we understand that accidents happen, including broken teeth. Our skilled and caring dentists, Dr. Murray and Dr. Saadoon are proud to offer emergency dental care, including same-day crowns and ASAP appointments. We can even provide sedation dentistry options for patients who need a little extra help relaxing during treatment.
If you are suffering from a dental emergency, please call us directly for the fastest care. We can be reached at 703-934-5540.
