How to preserve a cracked tooth?
Breaking a tooth, whether due to a punch in the face, a fall, or biting into something hard, is a stressful event.
In fact, losing your tooth/teeth is common in many people’s anxiety dreams. So, if you do break a tooth and happen to find the wayward piece, what should you do with it?
More specifically, how should you preserve your cracked tooth?
Follow the below steps in case of emergency:
Step 1: Collect the cracked fragment
- Handle the tooth or cracked fragment carefully because damage may prevent re-implantation.
- Touch only the crown, the top part of the tooth. Do not touch the root of the tooth.
- Rinse the tooth gently in a bowl of lukewarm water for no more than 10 seconds only if there is dirt or foreign matter on it. Do not scrub, scrape, or use alcohol to remove dirt.
Step 2: Reinsert or Store the Tooth
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- If possible, reinsert the permanent tooth into the correct socket and have the person bite on a gauze pad to hold the tooth in place.
- If you cannot reinsert the permanent tooth, or tooth fragments, store them in whole milk or between your cheek and gum to prevent drying.
Step 3: Treat Symptoms
- Control bleeding with sterile gauze or cloth.
- For pain and swelling, apply a cold compress. Encourage a child to suck on a frozen pop.
- For pain, take an anti-inflammatory tablet prescribed by your dentist.
Step 4: Get Help
- See a dentist or go to an emergency room immediately. Take the tooth or tooth fragments with you. Even if the teeth have been successfully reinserted, you should see a dentist.
Visit us at The Dental Spa for consultation and more!