How to Respond to a Broken Tooth

Dental emergencies can happen at any time, and here at Prevention Dental, we want you to be prepared for any situation that comes your way. A very common and one of the most painful dental emergencies that can occur is breaking a tooth. Knowing how to respond to a broken tooth can make the difference between saving your original tooth or needing restorative dentistry. If you are in the Boise, Idaho, area, we want you to know that we are here to help you with all dental emergencies, especially broken teeth. 

 

What to Do First: 

When you have a broken tooth, your mouth is immediately going to be filled with pain. The pulp of your teeth, the inside of the enamel, is filled with different nerves and blood vessels. Tearing these can result in pain and sensitivity. Depending on the type of break you have, the best thing you can do is locate the missing piece and place it back into position. Use a bandana or a handkerchief to bite down on the tooth, keep it in place, and then come immediately into our office. 

If the break is small or at an angle that will not allow it to stay in place, or if you cannot locate the broken piece, use a cold compress to help with pain and swelling. If any bleeding occurs, use a small towel to apply pressure. If you can locate the broken piece, do what you can to keep it moist until you can come into our office. The best way to do this is by putting the broken pieces in milk. You can take any over-the-counter pain medication that works for you, making sure to follow the instructions. 

 

In the Office: 

When you arrive at our office, we will have you back with our doctor immediately. A local anesthetic will be applied to help ease the pain. The doctor will examine the break and the broken piece and decide if Dr. Stephenson can use them in the restoration. If so, the doctor will begin his work. If not, he will consider other restorative options. The most common is dental bonding which allows you to reshape your tooth to match your other teeth. Here at Prevention Dental, we have been professionally trained on how to handle a broken tooth. While each situation is different, you can trust that we will be able to help you with your needs. 

 

Knowing what to do in a dental emergency can really make a huge difference. Let us help you with all of your dental needs. Come into our dental office in Boise, Idaho, as soon as you experience a broken tooth to receive help and tooth restoration.