What to do if you chip, break, or knock out a tooth

What to do if you chip, break, or knock out a tooth

A tooth that has been knocked out, broken, or chipped can inflict pain and panic. No matter how big or small the injury is, it’s imperative to seek treatment immediately to prevent further damage from developing.

Causes of tooth injuries

Tooth injuries can happen as a result of eating something hard, or they can be caused by impact to the face. In addition, tooth and mouth injuries commonly occur from contact sports. 

If you’re involved in contact sports, it’s essential to wear a fitted mouthguard at all times. Mouthguards can go a long way in avoiding dental injuries from happening. If you or your child needs a custom-fitted mouthguard, ask us about it at your next appointment.

What to do when an injury occurs

1. Contact your dentist right away. It’s important to let us know you’re coming in so we can fit you into our daily schedule.
2. Rinse your mouth gently with water.
3. Place an ice pack or cold compress on your face to reduce swelling.
4. Immerse the tooth fragment in milk and bring it with you to your appointment, if possible.

What to do in a dental emergency

It’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible if you experience a dental emergency. Having your mouth evaluated by a dentist will help stop the progression of further damage or injury to the mouth. In addition, an evaluation is crucial to ensure the jaw and surrounding teeth are in good condition.

Committed to your comfort

If you have a dental emergency that requires immediate care, call our office as soon as possible for treatment. As always, at Reflection Ridge Dental, we will do our best to fit you into our schedule when you need us most. Further, we’re committed to the comfort of every patient who enters our office.