Dental Damage: How to Handle a Broken Tooth

Have you just bitten into something super hard or sticky or sustained a blow to the face, only to realize it broke your tooth? If you’re sore or bleeding, you might panic about what to do next. Should you seek help from your dentist or an ER?

It’s usually best to contact your emergency dentist for oral issues because they have the unique experience and technology to identify and treat them accurately. Many also offer same-day appointments, so you don’t have to wait for relief. Continue reading to learn how to get help for your broken tooth!

How Should I Handle a Broken Tooth?

Depending on what happened and the extent of the harm done, you might not think that your injured pearly white necessitates an urgent issue. However, once its structure is compromised, bacteria are more likely to penetrate the surface to infect the tender pulp inside. Not only that, but it’s also vulnerable to additional damage until it’s addressed.

If you’ve broken a tooth, you can help yourself by:

• Finding the pieces. Remember some may be in your mouth still, so do your best not to swallow them.
• Rinsing the tooth. You can rinse the pieces that fractured and store them in a clean, airtight container to take to the dentist’s office when you go.
• Addressing aches. Taking Tylenol or ibuprofen is usually safe to reduce any associated swelling and throbbing.
• Cleaning your mouth. Gently with warm salt water to naturally disinfect unhealthy germs that contribute to cavities and gum disease.
• Avoid eating with it. Don’t bite or chew anything with your injured chomper until it’s treated.
• Calling your dentist. Contact your provider so they can schedule an appropriate time to see you.

How Are Broken Teeth Treated?

Once you arrive at the designated time, your dental team will update your medical history to avoid recommending anything that might interfere with your general well-being. Then, they’ll examine your mouth and may take X-rays or other scans to ensure the injury hasn’t extended beyond the surface of your teeth and gums.

Then, they will recommend an appropriate solution. If the damage is more surface-level and impacts your appearance more than your oral health, they might suggest dental bonding. This involves placing tooth-colored putty on your enamel to fill in the chip or crack, then solidifying it with a special UV light for a long-lasting repair.

However, if the tooth is too broken for bonding to be sufficient, they can provide a customized dental crown made of durable ceramic to rebuild its appearance while allowing you to continue using it to eat and speak normally. In extreme cases, your dentist might have to consider extraction and replacement to safeguard your smile.

Thankfully, your provider has solutions to repair and protect your grin regardless of its current condition!

Meet the Author

Dr. Stacy Hebert-Schoener is passionate about helping families near Bellaire build and maintain their happiest, healthiest teeth and gums. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston, then focused on trauma-related dentistry, anesthesia, and medically complex patients during her residency at Memorial Hermann Hospital. Today, she offers a comprehensive menu of services delivered with state-of-the-art technology to enhance patient comfort while delivering accurate results. If you’ve had an emergency, she has same-day visits so you don’t have to wait for help. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (713) 666-1597.