Fractured Teeth? We Can Fix Them!

It can be scary to bite down hard, take a tumble or experience a sports-related accident and hear the dreaded crack that accompanies chipped or fractured teeth. Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body, so adults and children alike often respond with panic when these accidents occur. However, while a chipped tooth can be serious and will often require professional attention, it is quite common and easily treatable by pediatric Dentist. 

So, what do you do if you or your child chips a tooth? 

Step One: Take A Deep, Steadying Breath 

Panic is a natural response to any dental emergency, and chipping or fracturing a tooth is no exception. If you realize you’ve fractured your tooth, start by taking a calming breath and reminding yourself that what you’re experiencing is treatable and very common. If your child is the one experiencing a chipped tooth, they may feel surprised, scared or upset. We recommend taking a minute to help them calm down and reassure them that they will be okay before moving on to the next step in the process. 

Step Two: Assess The Damage

The severity of chipped or fractured teeth will depend on what parts of the tooth have been affected by the fracture. Many fractures will consist of a minor chip missing from the chewing/biting surface of the tooth that will not need immediate professional care, but more serious fractures will require more prompt treatment. Your dentist will be able to examine this in more detail, but it’s important to take a look at the tooth immediately and take note of any signs of a more serious fracture. Check for significant bleeding and search for any spots where the root or pulp of the tooth is visible. If this occurs, call your dentist immediately. 

Step Three: Call Your Dentist

Once you’ve taken time to calm down and assess the state of your tooth, it’s time to call your dentist, explain what’s happened and set up an appointment. Minor fracture teeth will not need emergency treatment, but it’s important to schedule a visit with your dentist as soon as possible to receive a professional examination of the damage and get started on treatment. Your dentist will also be able to give you additional tips on how to take care of your damaged tooth in the meantime until you can get to the office for treatment. 

Step Four: First Aid From Home 

After chipping a tooth, there are certain steps you can take to maximize comfort, keep the area clean and relieve pain while you call your dentist and wait for your appointment. Even for minor fractures, it is important to keep irritants away from the tooth, clear away any bleeding and soothe any pain you may be experiencing. If you or your child has chipped a tooth, be sure to do the following: 

• If the chipped part of the tooth can be saved, drop it in a glass of cold milk to preserve it

• Don’t panic if you can’t find the chipped section of the tooth — there are other treatment options that don’t involve reattaching the original tooth fragment 

• Rinse your mouth with warm water to wash out any blood or irritants within the mouth

• Stop any bleeding with clean gauze, applying gentle pressure to the area

• Reduce swelling by placing an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the side of your face where the chipped tooth is 

• If necessary, relieve pain with over-the-counter pain medication

Step Five: Treatment Options

When the time has come for your appointment with your Dentist, he will examine the fractured teeth and determine the best treatment method for your case. Depending on the extent of the damage, your dentist may recommend any of the following treatment options: 

• Simple smoothing of the chipped tooth to polish away sharp edges 

• Restoration of the tooth by reattaching the preserved chip fragment back to its original position

• Composite resin filling or bonding that seamlessly fills in the chipped area and blends in with the color of your existing tooth

• Dental veneers made of composite resin or porcelain that completely cover the front of the tooth to make it appear as though it had never been chipped or damaged

• Root canal procedures in the event that the tooth has a severe break that exposes nerves and blood vessels, making it easy for bacteria to enter and cause infection

• Crowns that fully cover the tooth to protect it after a large portion of the tooth is broken or after a root canal procedure