For any dental emergency, you should call an emergency dentist immediately. Most dentists reserve time in their schedules for emergency patients. After calling the dentist, you should provide as much detail as you can about your condition or problem. If an accident happens when the dental office is closed, visit your local emergency room.
Dentists often deal with a variety of dental emergencies. One common problem is a broken tooth. A tooth may break because of a forceful impact or dental problems like lost fillings or large cavities. Regardless of the cause, a person should visit a dentist either immediately or as soon as possible, depending on how badly the tooth is broken. A broken tooth can range from the complete breakage of an area, which can leave the pulp and dentin exposed to a chip in the enamel exterior.
Tooth enamel has no blood vessels or nerves so enamel loss may not cause pain. But when the pulp or dentin is exposed to air, the tooth usually hurts. Over time, bacteria can end up infecting an exposed pulp, which can cause more pain, sensitivity to changes in temperature and discoloration of the remaining enamel. A person may experience pain from the injury that made the tooth break, whether or not the pulp or dentin is exposed. Here are some tips for handling a broken tooth.
All the broken pieces should be gathered. They should be put in a clean, dry container. These pieces are supposed to be taken to the dentist. The remaining tooth should be rinsed with warm water. This will help remove dirt as well as debris.
If the problem is due to an injury, a cold compress should be applied to the outside of the mouth, lip or cheek near the broken or chipped tooth. It will help ease pain and keep any swelling down. A person should then call the dentist to schedule an appointment. If a person sees yellow dentin or red, exposed pulp, the dentist should be contacted immediately.
People can benefit from avoiding hard foods. The sharp edges of the remaining tooth may also be covered with dental wax or chewing gum. This will help protect the gums. In some cases, a broken tooth may not be the only complication from an injury to the mouth. A severe impact can also break the jaw. If someone is not able to bring the lower and upper jaw together when closing the mouth, visiting a dentist or going to the emergency room right away is ideal.
Accidents can happen at any time. But knowing what to do when an accident happens can help prevent a problem from becoming worse or even save the tooth. The appropriate treatment for broken teeth depends on the extent of the damage. If your tooth breaks, you should see an emergency dentist as soon as possible. The dentist will be able to determine the right treatment option for your condition.
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