What to Do When You Have a Broken Tooth

A broken tooth is typically something that you will want to have addressed immediately. While not every break in a tooth is considered an emergency, most of the time, it is ideal to take action as soon as possible. The type of break in the tooth will likely determine the necessary action. However, in order to figure this out, a visit to a dental specialist is required. Aside from visiting a dental office immediately, there are a few other things that you can do when a broken tooth occurs. Keep reading to find out more. 

Steps to take when you break a tooth

Here are a few steps to take when a patient has a broken tooth. It is crucial to review the following information, especially if the patient is in a situation with a higher risk of such an injury.

Keep any parts

A broken tooth often results in various parts, meaning the tooth might crack or it might shatter, which can result in pieces falling out. If the tooth breaks or shatters in a way that leads to parts dislodging from the oral cavity, it is ideal to try to salvage them immediately. The dental specialist can sometimes utilize the pieces to reconstruct the broken tooth. Patients should put any broken tooth parts in milk until the dental specialist can see them. 

Take an over-the-counter medication

A broken tooth often leads to severe pain and even swelling around the area. This can be uncomfortable and not always the easiest to deal with. If this happens, it is recommended to take an over-the-counter pain reliever until the dental specialist can take a look and provide the necessary treatment. Of course, taking these cautiously and with a bit of food is typically advised. In the case of a broken tooth, the patient's diet may be affected adversely because they may not be able to bite or chew. 

Avoid certain foods until the broken tooth is fixed

Once a break in a tooth occurs, it is 100% necessary to avoid foods that require a great deal of chewing, especially ones that are hard, rigid, or chewy in substance. These foods can lead to further damage to the tooth, which can result in more treatment and pain. Instead, it is recommended to consume extremely soft foods or things that do not require chewing, such as soup, applesauce, smoothies, etc. 

Find out more from a dental specialist today

When you are suffering from a broken tooth, you will need to consult with a dentist immediately. In most cases, it is essential to see an endodontist because they specialize in severe breaks, which does sometimes necessitate root canal therapy. The dental specialist will analyze the break and the surrounding area to determine the required action. 

To find out more about treating a broken tooth or what to do when it happens, reach out today. Our team can schedule an appointment for you or provide additional information to help. 

Request an appointment here: https://newyorkdmd.com or call New York DMD at (917) 284-9680 for an appointment in our New York office.