Lost, Chipped or Broken a Tooth? Here’s What to Do Next
- 14 hours ago
- 4 min read
Dental accidents happen. A fall, sports injury, hard piece of food, or even using your teeth to open packaging can leave you staring at a chipped, cracked, loose or completely knocked-out tooth.
When it happens, knowing what to do next can make a big difference — particularly if there’s a chance of saving the tooth.
Here’s what you should know if you or someone in your family damages or loses a tooth.
First: Stay Calm and Take a Look
A damaged tooth can look alarming, especially when there’s bleeding. Start by gently rinsing your mouth with lukewarm water so you can assess the area.
If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze. A cold compress held against the outside of your cheek can also help with swelling.
Then, contact a dentist as soon as possible. Even damage that looks minor may extend beneath the surface of the tooth.
What Should You Do If Have a Chipped or Broken Tooth?
A small chip isn't always a dental emergency, but it should still be examined.
If you can find the broken piece, save it and bring it with you to your appointment. Rinse your mouth gently with water and avoid chewing on the affected side until you've seen a dentist.
Depending on the extent of the damage, treatment could include smoothing or bonding the tooth, a filling, a veneer or, for more significant damage, a crown.
If the tooth is painful or sensitive, contact your dentist promptly.
What If You Have a Cracked or Broken Tooth?
Cracks can be more complicated because the visible damage doesn't always show how far the crack extends.
You may notice pain when biting, sensitivity to hot or cold, or a sharp edge where part of the tooth has broken away. In some cases, however, a cracked tooth produces very few symptoms at first.
Avoid chewing with the damaged tooth and arrange a dental assessment as soon as possible.
Treatment depends on the location and severity of the crack and may range from bonding or a crown to root canal treatment. Severely damaged teeth sometimes cannot be saved, which is why early assessment is important.
What Should You Do If an Adult Tooth Is Knocked Out?
This is one situation where time really matters.
If a permanent adult tooth has been completely knocked out:
Pick it up by the crown, which is the white part you normally see. Avoid touching the root.
If it's dirty, gently rinse it without scrubbing or removing attached tissue.
If possible, carefully place the tooth back into its socket and hold it in position.
If you can't put it back, keep it moist. Milk is commonly recommended for transporting a knocked-out tooth. Don't let the tooth dry out.
Contact a dentist immediately.
The sooner a knocked-out permanent tooth can be treated, the better the chance that it may be successfully replanted.
What About a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth?
Don't attempt to put a knocked-out baby tooth back into the socket. Doing so could potentially damage the developing permanent tooth underneath.
Contact your child's dentist for advice and an assessment.
What If You Lose a Filling or Crown?
A lost filling or crown can expose sensitive areas of the tooth and make eating uncomfortable.
Keep the area clean, avoid chewing on that side, and contact your dentist. If a crown has fallen out, keep it and bring it to your appointment. Depending on its condition and the tooth underneath, your dentist may be able to reattach it or recommend a replacement.
Don't use household glue to put a crown back on yourself.
When Is Dental Damage an Emergency?
Contact a dentist promptly if you experience:
A knocked-out permanent tooth
Significant tooth movement or looseness after an injury
Severe or persistent pain
A large fracture or crack
Uncontrolled bleeding
Significant facial or gum swelling
Signs of infection
An injury that changes the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Serious facial trauma, difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or other significant injuries may require immediate medical attention rather than waiting for a dental appointment.
Can a Damaged or Missing Tooth Be Repaired?
In many cases, yes.
Modern dentistry offers several ways to repair or replace damaged and missing teeth. Depending on the situation, your dentist may recommend dental bonding, fillings, crowns, root canal treatment, bridges, implants or other restorative options.
The important thing is not to assume a damaged tooth is beyond saving. Getting it assessed quickly gives your dentist the best opportunity to determine what can be done.
Prevention Helps, Too
Not every dental accident can be prevented, but you can lower your risk.
Wear a properly fitted mouthguard when playing contact sports, avoid chewing ice and other extremely hard objects, and resist the temptation to use your teeth as tools.
That means no opening bottles, tearing packages or ripping off clothing tags with your teeth — scissors are much easier to replace than a tooth!
Dental Emergency in Brampton? Give Us a Call
If you've chipped, cracked, broken or knocked out a tooth, don't wait and hope it gets better on its own.
And if you're unsure whether your situation requires immediate attention, give our office a call. We'd rather help you determine the next step than have you worry about it at home.
When it comes to a damaged tooth, acting quickly can make all the difference.
Contact Conestoga Dental Centre today to book an appointment with our experienced dental professionals. You can reach us by phone at 905-840-0000 or by email at conestogadental@gmail.com. We look forward to helping you maintain good oral health and a bright, healthy smile!
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