Tips for handling a broken or chipped tooth

Tips for handling a broken or chipped tooth

Tips for handling a broken or chipped tooth

While we wish our smile wasn?t as fragile, a chipped or broken tooth can be the result of an injury to the mouth and can be the result of a variety of situations. Not only can chipping or breaking a tooth cause pain and discomfort, it can make you feel self-conscious and is best if attended to as soon as possible.  Here are some tips on what to do right when you or a family member have broken or chipped a tooth.

  • Stay calm!: Seeing a cracked or chipped tooth can be very alarming and anxiety provoking, and the best thing to do is focus on remaining calm and bring attention to your breath and slowing it down. In order to identify the next step, it is important to be able to first feel calm and let the immediate reaction dissipate.
  • Assess the pain: How much pain you are in is important to assess in order to identify the right next step for treatment. If you are not in any pain, you have more time before needing dental service. It is normal to feel more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures initially. Sensitivity means that part of the tooth has exposed the dentin, which is the inner structure. Most likely, this sensitivity will fade in a few hours.
  • Call Krengel Dental: Now is the time to get on the phone with our friendly Krengel Dental team ( 952-888-1311). If you call during closed hours and it is an emergency, follow the instructions on the message for a dental emergency. Our team will guide you in identifying what to do to cope with any pain and will ask questions to identify how soon to get you in and what the options for treatment will be. Need an even more detailed assessment? You can email us a photo for your dentist.
  • Attend to the pain: If you are experiencing pain in the meantime, it can be helpful to consider an over-the-counter pain medication for swelling and pain. Rinse out your mouth to remove any particles or food in your mouth, choosing a moderate temperature that won’t set off any sensitivity.
  • Add some ice (indirectly): using an ice pack for the area without directly placing the ice pack on your tooth helps lessen pain and reduce swelling while keeping your nerves from getting too aggravated.  

Once you have gotten in contact with us, we will be able to talk you through your options for treatment. Depending on the size of the chip or crack to the tooth and extent of injury, different options will be considered and discussed between you and your Krengel Dental dentist. Bonding is one of the most simple and common procedures, however, crowns, implants and veneers may be considered to best personalize your care.  No matter what, we are here to help you through the process of getting taken care of.