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How to Handle a Broken Tooth

Klement Family Dental

A broken tooth is certainly something that should be addressed by a dentist in St. Petersburg, Fl. Unfortunately, accidents always seem to occur at the worst possible times – usually when the dentist office is closed.

If a dental emergency like a broken or fractured tooth does occur, you’ll need to keep your mouth safe and healthy until you can get in to see a dentist. Here’s what you should do:

  • Rinse your mouth very well with luke warm water.
  • Use gauze to apply pressure to any areas that are bleeding areas, Hold the gauze on the bleeding area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. If that doesn’t work, use a tea bag to apply pressure to the bleeding area.
  • Use a cold pack on your cheek or lips that cover the broken tooth. The cold helps reduce swelling and alleviates pain.
  • Look for temporary dental cement at the drug store. Use it to cover the part of the tooth that remains in your mouth until you see a dentist.
  • If you’re in pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

What About Cracked Teeth?

Treating a cracked tooth at home is a bit more difficult. Your tooth may actually look fine, but hurts when you bite down or eat something hot or cold. If your tooth hurts constantly, though, it could be due to a damaged nerve or blood vessel. This is a serious problem and you’ll need to see a dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage from occurring.

What Will the Dentist Do?

When you come to our office, we’ll assess your tooth and recommend the best way to correct the problem. Broken and fractured teeth usually require some sort of reconstructive dentistry to repair. Fractured or cracked teeth might need a root canal and crown while a broken tooth might call for a crown only. Fillings may need to be replaced as well, especially if a weak filling caused your tooth to break in the first place. If a tooth is broken off at the root, you may need the root to be extracted and a dental implant to restore function and form.

Whatever the problem, we’ll offer you a solution to your dental emergency. And we make every effort to accommodate dental emergencies by offering same-day appointments. Learn more about how to make an appointment for a same-day appointment on our website.