Oh No! A Broken Tooth! How to React During Major Dental Trauma

A fall, a car accident, a sudden blow to the mouth—all of these situations can lead to a broken tooth, and it can definitely be a scary situation. Whether your tooth is cracked, broken, chipped, or completely knocked out, it is critical that you get to a dentist right away for help. Here is a quick look at a few things to keep in mind during these worrisome events.

You should rinse out your mouth and tend to any bleeding.

If you have debris in your mouth, go ahead and get a glass of warm water and gently swirl it around your mouth. Spit the water into another glass just in case there are bits of your broken tooth you need to try to save to show the dentist. Once you have rinsed your mouth, check to see if your mouth is bleeding. If a tooth has been completely knocked out of place, you are bound to see a bit of blood. Gently applying pressure to the bleeding area with clean gauze can help stop the bleeding.

Protect the exposed area where the tooth has been broken.

The area where the tooth has broken must be carefully protected. Avoid putting any more pressure on the damaged tooth when you speak, move your lips, or bite down. Doing so may cause further damage to either the tooth or the soft tissue supporting the tooth. It is best not to eat or drink anything until you can get to the dentist for advice.

Take over-the-counter medication for pain.

You may have some sensitivity if the break has exposed a nerve in the tooth. However, a broken tooth can be painful due to trauma to the soft tissues in your mouth. Even if you are not feeling much pain, go ahead and take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Ibuprofen may help to reduce inflammation in addition to offering pain relief. You can also cover the tooth with clean gauze to keep airflow away.

Reach Out to an Emergency Dentist in Thornton

A broken or damaged tooth does not have to mean permanent damage to your smile or self-confidence. If you have a dental emergency, reach out to us at Colorado Root Canal Specialist in Thornton, CO to get an appointment.