What to Do if You Break a Tooth

Knowing what to do ahead of time in an emergency not only prepares you for the situation but also increases the likelihood that a positive outcome will occur. Dental emergencies are no exception.

Your smile is one of your most unique features. Not only does your smile help people recognize you, but it also gives people an impression of the type of person you are. If you readily offer a smile to others, you are seen as someone who is friendly, confident, and approachable. Taking care of your smile will help to ensure that you can freely share it with others.

Of course, even the most dedicated oral hygiene advocates can suffer a dental emergency. A broken tooth is one of the most common dental emergencies that dentists treat across the nation every day. A broken tooth can result from a traumatic accident, a fall, being struck in the face, or biting down on something hard. While tooth enamel is the hardest substance within the human body, it is not invincible.

A broken tooth will not heal itself. You need to seek immediate care from your dentist if any damage occurs to your teeth to save your tooth and protect the rest of your smile. If you break a tooth, follow these steps as outlined by the American Dental Association:

1. Find any pieces of your tooth that have broken off.
2. Place the pieces in a small cup with milk or your own saliva to keep them moist.
3. Call your dentist immediately!
4. Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the affected area.
5. Place a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to help prevent swelling.
6. If you are in intense pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help manage your pain until you see the dentist.
7. Try not to panic.

A broken tooth can be both painful and devastating. Luckily, dentists are able to restore your smile through advanced treatments. If a tooth is broken below the dentin layer where the tooth roots are, dental bonding may be all that is needed to repair the tooth. However, if the tooth is broken at the root, a root canal will typically be necessary to save the natural tooth and restore your smile. A root canal is not painful!

At Engineered Smiles, we understand how upsetting a broken tooth can be. Our practice is here to provide you with exceptional dental care. Please contact us immediately if you experience any dental emergency.