Injured Tooth: What Should I Do?

Lenox Hill Dentist Emergency | Upper East Side Dental Office

You take good care of your teeth. You keep those pearly whites healthy with regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings. But when the unthinkable happens and you injure a tooth, what do you do? We’ve got a closer look at how you should handle different types of tooth injuries. When you have an injured tooth, it’s important to act immediately. Visit our cosmetic dentistry office right away to have your injury evaluated and x-rayed. If the tooth or a piece of it has broken out of the mouth, make sure you bring it with you to the dentist. An over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever can help with any pain from a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth. Here’s what you can expect in treatment for tooth injuries:

Chipped Tooth

It’s up to you to decide if and when the chipped tooth should be repaired. If you are not in pain, chip repair is not critical. Depending upon the size of the chip, it can be cosmetically corrected or repaired with a veneer, crown, or filling.

Cracked or Broken Tooth

In order to prevent further damage, a cracked or broken tooth needs to be repaired immediately. Symptoms such as pain and sensitivity to cold and hot can indicate the presence of cracks. A root canal or tooth extraction may be required.

Knocked Out Tooth

To successfully reattach a tooth, it’s important to get it re-implanted as soon as possible. Rinse a knocked-out tooth with water and replace it in its socket, then get to your dentist right away. Your best chance for re-implantation is within the first 30 minutes of injury; chances severely drop off after two hours.

Broken Jaw

If you suspect that your jaw may be broken, do not move it. Secure your jaw with a handkerchief or towel tied around the top of the head. Cold compresses can help to reduce any swelling. Go immediately to an emergency room.

Contact our dental office if you have questions and to schedule you next appointment. We are located at 121 East 60th St., 10th Floor in New York. We look forward to helping you with all your dentistry needs!