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.
Tooth pain relief is often necessary when decay, infection, or trauma affects the inner structure of a tooth. In many cases, root canal therapy is the most effective way to eliminate pain, save the natural tooth, and prevent further complications. This procedure removes infected or damaged pulp, cleans the root canals, and seals the tooth…
When a root canal fails, a root canal retreatment must happen. Getting a root canal treatment is better than a dental extraction. If an endodontist sees that your tooth still has good bone support and healthy gums under or around it, a root canal can save the tooth. A root canal is a less expensive…
Tooth pain and dental trauma can be distressing and require immediate attention to prevent further damage and alleviate discomfort. An emergency endodontist specializes in diagnosing and treating severe tooth pain and trauma, offering expert care to save a tooth, relieve pain, and protect long-term oral health. When sudden tooth pain or injury strikes, seeking help…
A root canal cleans out infection from the interior of a tooth, but dentists will attempt other options, such as dental fillings, when possible. Therefore, it can be hard for patients to know when they may need a root canal or whether a problem can be solved in another way. The signs that you may…
Root canal therapy provides a solution by eliminating the infection and preserving the tooth structure.
When a root canal fails, a root canal retreatment must happen.
When sudden tooth pain or injury strikes, seeking help from an emergency endodontist is crucial…
Treating this issue quickly with a root canal is of the utmost importance, as it…
Preserving natural teeth is always preferable to extraction for several reasons.
A vertical root fracture usually requires tooth extraction, but an endodontist can still save the…
