Dental Emergency Checklist_ What to Do If You Break a Tooth

1. Dental Emergency Checklist: What to Do If You Break a Tooth A broken tooth can happen suddenly — during a meal, a fall, or even from biting something hard. In these moments, it’s easy to panic. But acting quickly and correctly can help reduce pain, prevent infection, and improve your chances of saving the tooth. This checklist is designed to guide you through the essential steps to take immediately after breaking a tooth, so you can protect your oral health until you receive professional dental care. ✅ Immediate Steps to Take When You Break a Tooth 1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation Try not to panic. Look in the mirror or feel with your tongue to assess the damage. Check for bleeding, swelling, or sharp edges. 2. Rinse Your Mouth Gently Use warm water to clean the area. This helps remove debris and reduce the risk

2. of infection. 3. Stop the Bleeding If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a soft cloth until it stops. 4. Save Any Tooth Fragments If part of the tooth has broken off, carefully collect the fragments and store them in milk, saline, or clean water. 5. Apply a Cold Compress Use a cold pack or a cloth-wrapped ice pack on your cheek to minimize swelling and relieve pain. 6. Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks Do not chew on the broken side. Avoid hot, cold, or hard foods and stick to soft meals until you see a dentist. 7. Take Pain Relievers if Needed Over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen can help manage discomfort, but avoid placing aspirin directly on the tooth. 8. Call Your Dentist Immediately Dental care is essential for preventing further complications. Contact your dentist as soon as possible for an emergency appointment. ? Types of Broken Teeth and What They Mean Understanding the type of break can help you communicate better with your dentist and know what to expect. Here are the most common types of broken teeth: 1. Chipped Tooth A small piece of enamel breaks off. Usually painless but can feel sharp. Often fixed with dental bonding or smoothing. 2. Cracked Tooth A fracture line runs through the tooth. Pain may come and go, especially while chewing or with temperature changes. Early treatment prevents further damage. 3. Broken Cusp A part of the chewing surface (usually on molars) breaks off. Typically not painful

3. but may affect chewing. 4. Split Tooth A tooth is split into distinct segments. Often painful and usually requires extraction or root canal treatment. 5. Severe Break A large part of the tooth is missing and the nerve may be exposed, causing intense pain. Immediate treatment is needed, often with a crown or root canal. 6. Vertical Root Fracture A crack begins in the root and moves upward. These are hard to detect and may cause swelling or infection. Often requires extraction.

4. ? Treatment Options for a Broken Tooth Once your dentist evaluates the type and severity of the break, they will recommend the most suitable treatment. Here are common options: 1. Dental Bonding Best for small chips or cracks. A tooth-colored resin is applied and shaped to restore the tooth’s appearance and function. 2. Dental Veneers Thin porcelain or composite shells are used to cover front teeth that are chipped or slightly broken, especially for cosmetic improvement. 3. Dental Crowns Used when a large portion of the tooth is missing. A crown covers and protects the entire tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and function. 4. Root Canal Treatment Required when the tooth’s pulp (nerve) is exposed or infected due to a deep break. The pulp is removed, and the tooth is sealed and restored. 5. Tooth Extraction If the tooth is severely damaged and cannot be saved, extraction may be necessary. The tooth can later be replaced with an implant or bridge. 6. Dental Implants or Bridges Used to replace a tooth after extraction. These options restore both function and appearance and help prevent shifting of surrounding teeth.