Breaking a tooth can be painful, stressful, and unexpected. If you’re wondering, “what do I do if my tooth breaks”, the first step is to stay calm and contact your dentist as soon as possible. Fast treatment can help protect the tooth, prevent more damage, and relieve discomfort. If your local dentist isn’t open, don’t panic. Here are a few things you can do at home until you can get to your dentist.
At Home Remedies for a Broken Tooth
Dental emergencies happen, and a broken tooth is one you don’t often see coming. Sometimes, it can happen over the weekend or in the middle of the night, so it’s good to know what you can do to prevent making it worse. While at-home care will not fix the damage, it can lower the risk of further injury, and help you manage the situation in the short term. The goal is to keep the area clean, protect the tooth from additional pressure, and get professional dental care as soon as possible.
If you break a tooth, take these steps right away:
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm water
- Save any broken tooth pieces if possible
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
- Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth
- Call your dentist to schedule an appointment as soon as possible
If there is bleeding, gently apply gauze. If you are in pain, an over-the-counter pain reliever may help until you can be seen. Acting quickly is important because even a small crack can worsen without treatment.
If My Tooth Is Chipped, What Do I Do?
Sometimes, it’s not a fully broken tooth, but a chipped one. If your tooth is chipped, the right treatment depends on how large the chip is and where it is located. A small chip on a front tooth may be mostly cosmetic, while a larger chip can affect function and expose sensitive areas. Even if there is no pain, it’s still best to see a dentist. Chipped teeth are generally not very serious, but a chip can sometimes be a crack. Some cases of teeth cracking are not immediately painful, but they can still lead to sensitivity, infection, or more serious fractures later. The only way to know the severity is to visit your local dentist.
Common Teeth Repair Options for Broken or Cracked Teeth
A broken or cracked tooth does not always require the same type of treatment. The best solution depends on several factors, including how severe the damage is, where the tooth is located, whether the inner part of the tooth has been affected, and whether the concern is functional, cosmetic, or both. Some patients may only need a simple cosmetic fix for a minor chip, while others may require a more protective restorative treatment to rebuild strength and prevent further damage.
There are several teeth repair options available depending on the extent of the damage. Here are a few of the common solutions.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is ideal for small chips, worn edges, and minor cracks. It is one of the most common cosmetic solutions for repairing front teeth and improving shape and appearance.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
If a small break has damaged the tooth, a filling may restore its function and strength. This is the same filling used for cavity treatment, but it is often the go-to solution for minor cracked teeth.
Dental Crowns
Crowns are often used when a tooth has a larger crack or fracture and needs full coverage for protection. If you’re asking, “what to do if your molar breaks”, this may be the best solution for such a large tooth.
Veneers
In some cosmetic cases, if you have a large amount of broken or chipped teeth, your dentist may recommend veneers. Veneers are a cosmetic solution used to improve the appearance of chipped or cracked front teeth.
Root Canal Therapy
If the crack reaches the inner pulp of the tooth, root canal treatment may be needed before restoring the tooth. This is why it’s extremely important to see your dentist whenever you crack or break a tooth because you can’t gauge how severe it is, but they can.
Broken a Tooth? Bloomington Family Dental Can Help
If you are searching for what to do if you break your tooth in Bloomington, MN, Bloomington Family Dental is here to help. We provide restorative dentistry for damaged teeth and cosmetic dentistry solutions like bonding tooth repair for smaller chips and cracks. Contact Bloomington Family Dental today to schedule an appointment or call us now at 952-856-0058 if you have a broken tooth dental emergency.
