What to Do If You Have a Broken or Damaged Tooth

Dental enamel is one of the strongest components in your body. However, no matter how strong they are, your teeth are no match for the pressure and impact of playground roughhousing, falling on a hard surface, or even hard candy.

If an accident occurs, you may need to undergo a same-day dental treatment in New Smyrna Beach.

Teeth that have been displaced, fractured, or chipped are common. Each scenario can be excruciatingly painful and lead to major dental problems that require prompt dental intervention.

This is why it’s important to know what to do if something bad happens to your teeth.

What to Do When You Have a Broken or Damaged Tooth

Broken Tooth

If your tooth has shattered or been entirely detached from your mouth, you are experiencing a dental emergency.  This means it’s imperative that you call an emergency dentist for an appointment. They can assess your condition and provide the necessary care.

It’s important to contact a dental professional within 30 minutes. This helps avoid the worst possible outcomes.

Dislodged Tooth

A dislodged or fractured tooth is painful and uncomfortable. Holding a damp, clean cloth against the gap or even against your face on the affected side will help to reduce bleeding or swelling. You can make a cold compress by wrapping a clean towel over ice or a frozen food pack.

If you’re lucky and you can locate the dislodged tooth material, remember to put it in a clean container. This way, your dentist can restore it. If you notice a dislodged or damaged tooth, gently clean it. Be very mindful not to remove any tissue or substance still connected to it.

What If Your Tooth Is Only Chipped or Cracked?

Not every damaged tooth is a full emergency, but a small chip or crack still deserves attention. A chip may feel like nothing more than a rough edge, yet it can expose the softer layer beneath the enamel, leaving the tooth sensitive and vulnerable to decay. Cracks are trickier because they’re often hard to see and can grow over time, especially if you keep chewing on that side. 

Until you’re seen, stick to soft foods and avoid very hot or cold drinks. If a sharp edge is irritating your tongue or cheek, cover it with a piece of sugar-free gum or dental wax. Skip the DIY superglue repairs you may see online, since they can trap bacteria and make treatment harder.

Can a Chipped or Broken Tooth Be Fixed in One Visit?

It’s one of the most common questions patients ask, and often the answer is yes. Depending on the damage, same-day dental treatment in New Smyrna Beach may be able to restore a damaged tooth without leaving you waiting weeks with a temporary fix. 

Minor chips can often be repaired with tooth-colored bonding, which is shaped and hardened right in the chair. Larger breaks may require a crown or another restoration, and your dentist will tell you whether it can be completed the same day or will require a follow-up visit.

Don’t Wait for the Pain to Fade

A broken tooth that stops hurting hasn’t necessarily healed. Pain can disappear even when the nerve inside is still at risk, so it’s smart to have any damaged tooth evaluated promptly. The sooner it’s examined, the more repair options you’re likely to have and the more of your natural tooth you can keep. 

If you’re unsure how to handle a broken tooth, call us and describe what happened. We’ll help you decide how quickly you need to be seen.

Do You Have a Broken Tooth? Inquire About Same-Day Dental Treatment in New Smyrna Beach Today!

An emergency dentist will help relieve the pain and discomfort caused by the tooth mishap. But you’ll have to see a prosthodontist to get that tooth or set of teeth fixed. We can’t wait to hear from you!