Emergency Dentist: How Do You Save A Broken Tooth

Fell down? Got hit while playing a sport? Crashed off your bike? If your face got hurt, there is a chance you broke or chipped your tooth. Once you cross the age of 7, you lose your milk teeth and get permanent teeth. So, if you break your tooth, another one won’t grow in its place. However, all is not lost. Take the right action and you can save your broken tooth. 

Find the Tooth 
The action you need to take is to find the broken tooth. The tooth can be saved and inserted back in your gums. Move around slowly and gently so as you do not mistakenly step on the tooth. 

Stop the Bleeding 
Rinse your mouth and wash away any blood that has collected there. Next, get a piece of gauze or cotton and press it on the bleeding part of your gum. Hold it for ten minutes to make sure the bleeding stops. 

Prevent Swelling 
Due to the physical trauma, there is a chance of your gums swelling. Applying a cold compress on your teeth can help deal with any swelling that arises. 

Wash and Preserve the Tooth 
Now that you attended to yourself, you need to attend to the broken tooth. Hold the tooth from the top so as not to damage any nerve cells below. Gently wash it under a tap of water. When you have done so, the tooth needs to be preserved. It is preferable that you put it in a glass of milk. This is done to keep the tooth moist and keep the nerve cells alive. 

Visit the Dentist
 Once you have done all that - visit the dentist. It is of uttermost importance that you visit the dentist within an hour of the accident. A trained dentist would be able to take the appropriate action. What will the dentist do? It depends on the amount of damage done to your tooth. 

• Clean your Gums: The dentist will spray water and clean your gums thoroughly, removing any debris from the empty socket. 
• Slip the Tooth Back in: If your tooth is not too damaged, the dentist will slip it right back in. 
• Set in Support: Your tooth needs some support to stay in place, heal and bond with the gum. A wire or composite material is used. 

However, if the damage is extensive, the dentist will have to perform a root canal or insert a dental implant or crown. 
​
If you have a broken tooth, you can visit Edmonton Emergency Dental and get your tooth repaired.  

---