Teeth are very strong, however, strains and stresses on them or even playing contact sports can cause a tooth to chip or get knocked out. Even eating hard foods or candy can injure a tooth.
Broken teeth may not cause pain immediately, however, if the chip has reached the nerve, you may feel discomfort. And if a tooth is knocked out, you will likely feel pain.
Keep reading for more on what to do if you find yourself in this situation.
Immediate steps if a tooth breaks or falls out
If your tooth chips or breaks, you should immediately rinse out your mouth with lukewarm water. If you are bleeding, apply pressure or a cold compress to the injured area. And if you have the broken tooth, you should wrap it in a wet cloth or gauze and bring it with you to your emergency dental visit.
Treatment of a broken tooth includes smoothing the tooth edge and placing a filling or a crown. In some cases, a root canal may be necessary to treat any infection that may have resulted. And though a cracked tooth may not hurt or be noticeable, it is important to see your dentist right away for treatment to avoid infection or further damage.
If your tooth has been knocked out, time is of the essence. If you still have the tooth, you should place it back into socket if able. You can rinse the tooth if it is dirty but take care not to scrub it or remove any tissues that may be present. If you cannot place it back into socket, you should place it in saline solution, water or milk and get to the dentist immediately to increase the chances of salvaging the tooth.
Sometimes putting a tooth back into place is easy, while other times it can be more complex. It is important, though, to get to the dentist quickly as this helps with re-implanting the tooth successfully.
If tooth bone was not harmed, the tooth root can typically reattach to the bone within a few weeks. Sometimes, a splint will be used to hold the tooth in place. And other times, a root canal will be necessary.
Every case is unique, but seeing your dentist right away is essential.
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