Brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily removes plaque and bacteria to strengthen your smile’s resilience. This can help you avoid common oral concerns, such as cavities and gum disease, but unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that you’ll never have an oral emergency.
For example, at any time, you might bite into something too hard or sustain a physical injury that breaks one of your teeth. It’s natural to feel anxious, but panicking won’t do you or your smile any good. Instead, read on to learn 4 steps you can take to get the right help quickly!
Step #1: Collect the Pieces
Depending on what happened, your tooth might have lost one or two large chunks or could have split into several smaller pieces. Do your best to collect the parts that broke off, taking care not to swallow any that may still be in your mouth. Rinse them gently and store them in a clean, dry container to take with you to your dentist’s office at the allotted time.
Step #2: Rinse Your Mouth
Depending on what happened, you might also have blood, dirt, or other debris in your mouth that increases the likelihood of developing an infection. To prevent this, you can rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water, which helps naturally remove harmful bacteria that might otherwise penetrate your injured enamel or connective tissues and cause disease or decay.
Step #3: Address Any Injuries
Anything that carries enough force to break a tooth can potentially also cause pain, but thankfully, there are several things you can try that might reduce your discomfort. For instance, it’s usually safe to take the recommended dosage of over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to address swelling or throbbing.
You can also apply a cold compress or ice-pack to the sore side of your face for 15- minutes at a time for a temporary numbing reprieve. To avoid triggering additional irritation, you may want to stick to softer foods or avoid biting or chewing with the injured tooth until after you’ve seen your dentist.
Step #4: Contact Your Emergency Dentist
If you haven’t already done so, be sure to take a moment to contact your emergency dentist. Typically, the sooner you are seen, the more likely they are to save your injured tooth.
Thankfully, many providers also offer options for sedation, so that you won’t have to wait long for relief once you arrive for your scheduled emergency visit!
Meet the Author
Dr. Jayme Glamm has 15+ years of experience helping enhance her patient’s lives by improving their oral health. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Ohio State University College of Dentistry and then completed a General Practice Residency at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. Today, she offers a comprehensive menu of services, including emergency care and sedation dentistry, to meet all your needs under one roof. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (614) 487-0112.