Breaking a tooth can be a frightening time for anyone, and not knowing whether to seek emergency dental care for the broken tooth or wait for the regular office to open can add to the stress. The good news is that broken teeth are often resilient and can usually be restored to their normal function, but to do so, you should be informed about the best steps to take.
When a tooth breaks, the first thing to do is identify whether the situation is an emergency, especially if the break happens outside of regular office hours. From there, you can either apply temporary measures or locate an emergency dentist near you.
When a tooth breaks, assessing the situation quickly is priority number one. Not all broken teeth are an emergency, though all should be seen as soon as possible.
The first step after a tooth has broken is determining whether the break requires an emergency visit. If there is bleeding, the patient is in severe pain, or the break encompasses a large portion of the tooth, it is wise to seek emergency dental treatment.
Conversely, if a small chip is all that is missing and no other symptoms are present, it is often safe to wait until the dentist’s office opens the next day. Still, patients should not delay and should call as soon as the office opens.
Regardless of the severity of a tooth break, the patient must try to find any pieces of the teeth that have come loose, as these can often be reattached. Place any tooth fragments in the patient’s mouth (if they are not children who might be prone to swallowing them) or in a cup of milk to help preserve any living tissues until the dentist can properly reattach the pieces. Try not to touch the tooth pieces (or the exposed tooth area where it is still attached to the gums) more than necessary, to avoid introducing bacteria.
If the patient cannot find the pieces of the tooth or if they have been safely stored for transport, rinse the mouth with warm water to clear away bacteria from the vulnerable opening in the tooth. Do not eat using that tooth. If a person is experiencing pain, they can take acetaminophen to reduce their discomfort. However, they should not take aspirin because it can interfere with how the dentist may need to treat the break later.
If there is bleeding, use gauze or latex gloves to apply pressure and seek medical attention promptly. Try to avoid swallowing the blood, as it can prompt vomiting.
A broken tooth is a severe dental situation that often requires emergency care. If you are experiencing a tooth break and need emergency dental treatment, or if you are not sure, do not hesitate to contact us. We can advise you on what to do next to preserve your tooth.
Request an appointment here: https://www.sheats-endo.com or call Sheats Endodontic Group at (615) 526-2495 for an appointment in our Nashville office.
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