Broken Teeth/Chipped Tooth? Here’s What You Need to Do Immediately

You just broke or chipped your tooth. Instead of panicking, stay calm, and call your dentist immediately. An injured tooth may require a dental emergency appointment. This common occurrence can result in a painful situation, but your dentist can repair the damage and restore your beautiful smile.

Broken teeth require immediate attention from your dentist whereas a chipped tooth in Calgary can wait a day or two until you can get to the dentist. If you are experiencing a cracked tooth in Calgary, this non-emergency situation can wait until you can book an appointment to have it checked out. 

Some circumstances call for 24/7 care provided by an emergency dentist to rectify the problem immediately. Generally, if you are experiencing excruciating pain or substantial blood loss, this qualifies for prompt attention. No matter your situation, getting your issue dealt with is important to help prevent further concerns.

How to Deal with Broken Teeth

Teeth are an important part of your mouth. They provide structural support to the other teeth and maintain the shape of your face and jaw. When a tooth falls out or breaks off, it can interfere with your ability to speak and chew your food properly.  If your tooth has completely dislodged from your gums, it can sometimes be saved. Placing the entire tooth under some running water and submerging it into some milk or salt water can help preserve it. This will increase the chance of your dentist being able to re-attach it.  

If your mouth is bleeding, a gentle rinse with warm salt water can help. Applying light pressure using a tea bag or gauze may also ease the situation. Using some ice or a cold pack to the exterior of your face or jaw can reduce the chance of swelling due to a fall and injury of some kind.

What Are Your Options for Fixing a Broken Tooth?

Depending on your situation, there are several options for restoring or repairing your missing or broken tooth. 

• ‍Crown – If a tiny portion of tooth has broken off, then a crown can be put over the damage to restore its shape and function.
• Root Canal – If your tooth has broken down and is interfering with the pulp or nerve, you may need a root canal. This procedure takes away the pain and eliminates infection, giving you back your smile. A crown is often required after this type of procedure.

 Other options may be viable. Your dentist will assess the situation and discuss the procedures of each.

How to Deal with a Chipped or Cracked Tooth

Be mindful of what foods you consume after chipping or cracking a tooth. Something as simple as chewing an apple can cause more damage. Try to avoid chewing with this tooth until you can visit a dentist.  Ice the affected area if there is any inflammation or pain. Jagged edges can be temporarily smoothed over by applying some dental wax to help avoid scraping your tongue.

What Are the Options for Fixing a Chipped or Cracked Tooth?

• Bonding – If only a small part of your tooth chipped off, it may be restored with plastic resin. This procedure corrects the shape of your tooth, and no one will even know anything happened.
•  Caps – Caps can be a quick solution to your problem if you have a minor chip or crack. This cover over your tooth will make it look new again while preventing further damage.
• Extraction – For a severely damaged tooth, an extraction may be the only option. A dental implant and crown or a bridge may be used to restore the look and function of a full set of teeth.  

When dealing with a broken tooth, there may be other options available to you. Speak with your dentist to discuss all the possibilities to fix your oral structure.

How to Keep Your Teeth in Good Shape

Sometimes dental issues are unavoidable, but you can help protect teeth.

• Wear a mouthguard for sports
• Keep a regular dental hygiene routine that includes thorough brushing and flossing
• Speak with your dentist if you have any concerns or are unsure of anything
• Check your mouth regularly for irregularities
• Avoid popping bottles open with your teeth
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet 

At Northmount Dental Care, we elevate your dental health using advanced technology. At each appointment, we assess your oral situation to keep your smile optimal. Any incident, big or small, our highly skilled dentists are here to help. Broken teeth? No problem! We are here to keep your oral health in top shape.