Emergency Dental Tips For A Broken Tooth
Breaking a tooth is one of those things many people fear. Whether you have just broken a tooth or are simply searching for information on how to deal with this emergency dental situation in the future, then you have come to the right place!
Listed below are some of the best emergency tips for dealing with a painful broken tooth:
Emergency Tip: Use Pressure to Stop the Bleeding
If you have a broken tooth that is bleeding, then the first thing you need to do is stop the bleeding. The best way to do so is to place a piece of sterile gauze on the tooth and apply steady pressure by biting down on it. Hold the gauze in place until the bleeding stops and then replace it with a clean piece.
If you don't have any gauze, you can substitute a napkin, paper towel, or some toilet paper.
Emergency Tip: Contact an Emergency Dental Clinic
Though there are things you can do to stay more comfortable while you wait, a broken tooth always requires professional dental care. Before you do anything else, contact the emergency dental clinic in your local area as well as your family dentist if you have one and ask for an urgent appointment. Most dentists understand how uncomfortable this situation is and will accommodate you with an appointment with a few hours.
Emergency Tip: Wash Your Mouth Out with Salt Water
Since the bacteria that live in your mouth and cause dental infections are killed by exposing them to salt, you should wash your mouth out with some salt water after a dental injury.
Since your broken tooth may be sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, prepare some salt water that is room temperature. Not only will the salt water help prevent infections but it will also make your broken tooth feel better.
Emergency Tip: Cover the Broken Tooth to Protect It
To protect the remnants of the broken tooth and the soft tissues in your mouth from further damage while you are waiting for an emergency dental appointment, you should keep the jagged edges covered. There are many things you can use to do so, including:
- dental cement
- dental wax
- sugarless chewing gum
If you do not have any of these things, then you can bite gently down on a piece of gauze or a moistened paper towel until you can have the tooth repaired at a dental clinic.
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