Is a Broken Tooth an Emergency?
If you have recently had an accident and broken your tooth or you wake up after grinding and clenching overnight and notice your tooth is broken, you may be wondering if you should schedule a regular appointment with your dentist or set an emergency appointment.
Below is more information about whether you should visit an emergency dentist for a broken tooth and what happens if you don’t get your broken tooth repaired.
Is a Broken Tooth an Emergency?
The answer is a broken tooth may or may not be an emergency. Whether it is an emergency depends on the extent of the damage and pain you are experiencing. If there is a small crack or chip, generally you won’t need an emergency appointment. Instead, you can contact your dentist and set a regular appointment for the repair. If the damage is severe and is causing distress, though, you’ll need to set an emergency appointment.
Keep in mind your regular dentist may not perform emergency services. If you are experiencing an emergency, see if your dentist offers emergency services. If not, ask for a referral.
What Happens If You Leave a Broken Tooth?
Repairing a broken tooth is very important. Not only do broken teeth cause discomfort and pain, but they can also lead to long-term oral health issues.
One major reason you should get your tooth repaired is to avoid an infection. An exposed root can easily become infected. If this occurs, a root canal will need to be performed to repair the tooth. If the issue isn’t addressed for a long period of time, the tooth may become so infected that it needs to be removed.
Instead of dealing with pain, discomfort, and infection, you should schedule an appointment to have your broken tooth addressed.
Broken Tooth Repair
In order to repair a broken tooth, your dentist will start by checking for signs of infection. If the tooth is infected, your dentist will address the infection before repairing the tooth.
The way the broken tooth is repaired depends on the nature of the damage. If there is very minor damage, dental bonding or a dental veneer may be enough for the repair. If the damage is severe, your dentist may need to place a dental crown.
Remember: the sooner you visit your dentist, the better the chance is of keeping the repairs minor and saving the tooth.
Discomfort Relief
If you find you are experiencing discomfort, you can rinse out your mouth with salt water or take over-the-counter pain relievers. It’s best to avoid hard foods until you have the damage repaired.
If you are experiencing severe pain, bleeding, and/or an extreme break, visit an emergency dentist to have the issue addressed.
Reach Out Today
Contact us today if you have a chipped, cracked, discolored, or otherwise damaged tooth. Your dentist will examine the tooth and determine the best repair option.