Can You Save a Damaged Tooth? How to Handle a Dental Emergency

What do you do if you chip your tooth? Or worse, what if you crack it completely in half? A damaged tooth can be a real emergency, and it’s important to know what solutions are available to you. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the steps that you can take to save a damaged tooth. We will also talk about how to handle a dental emergency and when you should go see a dentist.

Is a Damaged Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any situation where you have a tooth that is damaged, chipped, cracked, or completely knocked out. This can be a very painful experience, and it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible.

Can You Save a Damaged Tooth? How to Handle a Dental Emergency

If you have a damaged tooth, the first thing that you should do is call your dentist. They will be able to advise you on the best course of action. If the damage is severe, they may recommend that you come in for an emergency appointment.

For a tooth with only a slight chip, you may be able to repair it with a dental filling. If the damage is more severe, you may need a dental crown. In some cases, we can repair a tooth with a chip with bonding.

If your tooth is cracked or broken, it’s important to seek treatment right away. A crack in your tooth can cause pain and sensitivity. It can also lead to infection. If the crack is severe, your tooth may need to be extracted.

Saving a Knocked Out Tooth

If you have a tooth that has been completely knocked out, it’s important to try and find the tooth. You should also act quickly, within 30 minutes, and visit the dentist.

Review and remember these tooth-saving steps from the American Association of Endodontists that take you and your tooth from the time it falls out until you reach medical support:

1. Pick up the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface) NOT the root.

Locate the tooth immediately; don’t leave it at the site of the accident. Handle the tooth carefully when you pick it up, and never touch the root of the tooth, only the crown (chewing surface).

2. If dirty, gently rinse the tooth with water. 

Use only water to gently rinse off any dirt. Do not use soap or chemicals. Don’t scrub or dry the tooth, and don’t wrap the tooth in a tissue or cloth.

3. Reposition the tooth in the socket immediately, if possible.

Try to put the tooth back into its socket right away. Gently push it in with your fingers, by handling the crown, or position it above the socket and close your mouth slowly. Hold the tooth in place with your fingers or by gently biting down on it.

4. Keep the tooth moist at all times.

The tooth must stay moist at all times, either in your mouth or, if it can’t be replaced in the socket, put it in milk, in your mouth next to your cheek, or in an emergency tooth preservation kit (such as Save-a-Tooth®). Don’t use regular tap water; root surface cells can’t tolerate that for extended periods of time.

5. See an endodontist or dentist within 30 minutes of the injury. 

Bring the tooth with you to your emergency appointment ideally. It’s best to see the doctor within 30 minutes; however, it is possible to save a tooth even if it has been outside the mouth for an hour or more.

How to Protect Your Smile

The best way to protect your smile is to practice preventive care. This means brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit the dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.

If you play sports, it’s important to wear a mouthguard. This can help to protect your teeth from damage. Additionally, you should avoid chewing on hard objects, such as ice or popcorn kernels which can lead to cracked teeth.

If you do experience a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to call your dentist right away. The sooner you seek treatment, the more likely it is that we can save your tooth.

Glacier Creek Dental Can Save Your Smile

Whether you have a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, the team at Glacier Creek Dental can help. We offer a wide range of dental services, from fillings and crowns to bonding and extractions. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!