Dental Emergencies: What to Do When You Break a Tooth

Dental Emergencies: What to Do When You Break a Tooth

Dental Emergencies: What to Do When You Break a Tooth

Dental emergencies can occur anytime, and chipping a tooth can be a startling and painful experience. Knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath is crucial, whether it happens due to a sports injury, biting down on something hard, or a simple accident. This blog aims to guide you through the steps to take when you chip a tooth, offering both short-term first aid and long-term dental care through this dental emergency.

What should you do?

  • Stay Calm:
    First and foremost, try to stay calm. While a chipped tooth can be uncomfortable and even painful, panicking won’t help the situation. Take a deep breath and assess the damage.
  • Save the Chip:
    If you can locate the chipped fragment of the tooth, save it in a clean container with milk or your saliva. This may be helpful for the dentist to assess the extent of the damage and potentially reattach the piece.
  • Rinse Your Mouth:
    Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area around the chipped tooth. This can help remove any blood or debris and alleviate some discomfort.
  • Control Bleeding:
    If there is bleeding, apply a clean piece of gauze or a soft cloth to the affected area and apply gentle pressure. Hold it in place until the bleeding stops. Avoid using tissues or paper towels, as these can break apart and leave residue.
  • Manage Pain:
    Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help manage pain and reduce inflammation. Clove oil can is also know to help with inflammation, and can be applied to the area. To reduce swelling and numb the area, apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a thin cloth to the cheek or lip near the chipped tooth. Limit the application to 15 minutes at a time.
  • Protect the Tooth:
    The broken tooth may become jagged or even loose. You can find dental wax in most over-the-counter temporary kits at your local drugstore. Use this to protect your tooth, and your mouth from further damage. It’s important to leave the area alone after this, and especially avoid any DIY repairs.
  • Schedule an Emergency Dental Visit:
    If you see yellow dentin or red exposed pulp, contact an emergency dental clinic immediately. Explain the situation and follow any advice they provide. Prompt professional intervention can prevent complications and increase the likelihood of successful treatment.

Conclusion

A chipped tooth can be a distressing experience, but taking the right steps in the immediate aftermath can make a significant difference in your recovery. Remember to stay calm, prioritize oral hygiene, manage pain appropriately, and seek professional dental care promptly. Your dentist is the best resource to guide you through the necessary steps.

Signs Your Having A Dental Emergency

Signs Your Having A Dental Emergency

Our teeth are very important to us, and it can be very concerning when there’s an issue. It’s important to act when you feel like something is off with your oral health. You should be able to recognize the difference between a dental problem and a real emergency. We’ve broken up dental emergency signs into three categories: pain, signs of infection, and tooth loss. Read on to learn more when you’re having a dental emergency.

Pain

Severe Toothache: A persistent and severe toothache, especially when accompanied by swelling or fever, could indicate an infection or abscess, which requires prompt treatment.

Painful or Infected Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth can become impacted, infected, or cause severe pain. If you experience intense pain, swelling, or difficulty opening your mouth, it may be a dental emergency.

Signs of infection

Severe Gum or Facial Swelling: Swelling of the gums, face, or jaw can indicate an infection or abscess. This can be accompanied by pain, fever, or a foul taste in the mouth. Immediate dental attention is necessary.

Injury to the Soft Tissues of the Mouth: Trauma that results in cuts, tears, or puncture wounds to the lips, tongue, cheeks, or gums may require immediate medical attention to control bleeding and prevent infection.

Bleeding Gums: While occasional bleeding during flossing or brushing can be common, persistent and excessive bleeding from the gums, especially if it’s painful, could be a sign of gum disease or other oral health issues that require treatment.

Broken or missing tooth

Lost or Broken Dental Restoration: If a filling, crown, bridge, or dental implant becomes dislodged or damaged, it can expose sensitive tooth structures. This may cause pain or discomfort and should be addressed promptly.

Broken or Cracked Tooth: A broken or cracked tooth can expose sensitive nerves and lead to severe pain. Rinse your mouth with warm water, and if there’s bleeding, apply gauze to the affected area. See a dentist as soon as possible.

Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed Tooth): If a tooth has been completely knocked out, it’s crucial to see a dentist within 30 minutes for the best chance of re-implantation. Handle the tooth by the crown (top part) and rinse it gently with water, then try to place it back in the socket, if possible, or keep it in milk or a tooth preservation kit until you can get to the dentist.

Loose or Dislodged Tooth: If a tooth is loose or has been partially dislodged, seek dental care immediately. Do not try to force the tooth back into place, but you can gently apply pressure with your tongue or a clean cloth to keep it in position.

 

If you experience any of these dental emergency signs, it’s essential to contact your dentist or an emergency dental clinic as soon as possible for proper evaluation and treatment. Dental emergencies, if left untreated, can worsen and lead to more severe complications.

7 Common Causes of Mouth Pain

7 Common Causes of Mouth Pain

There are several reasons why you can have mouth pain, and our dentist can examine your mouth to find problems that are affecting your oral health. During a dental office visit, you will likely need medical images of your mouth to understand if the discomfort is caused by an issue deeper in the tissues of your face. It is possible to have multiple problems that are leading to mouth pain, but our dentist is able to provide treatments or procedures to help you feel better. Here are some of the causes for mouth pain.
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Jaw & Bite Disorders: What You Need to Know

Jaw & Bite Disorders: What You Need to Know

Jaw and bite disorders are not as uncommon as you may think. As a matter of fact, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health suggests that as many as 10 million Americans suffer from some type of bite or jaw disorder. While many cases may go untreated, this does not mean that they do not go unnoticed.
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How To Respond Appropriately To A Mouth Injury

How To Respond Appropriately To A Mouth Injury

A mouth injury is any type of problem that affects the inside of your mouth, including your gums and teeth. There are a long list of issues that can occur and worsen if they are not addressed appropriately. It’s never a good idea to ignore a dental issue, even if you think it’s a problem that will heal on its own. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of learning how to handle an injury, especially if it’s a pediatric dental problem. The information below will shed light on what should be done when mouth injuries occur. Of critical importance is making sure you visit your dentist when necessary.
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