As a dental professional with extensive experience in oral health care, I can provide you with a detailed guide on what to do if you break a tooth. It's important to remember that the steps you take immediately after the incident can significantly affect the outcome of your dental treatment.

Step 1: Assess the Damage
The first thing to do is to assess the extent of the damage. Look in the mirror to see if the break is minor, such as a small chip, or more severe, like a large fracture or dislodged tooth. If you can, gently run your tongue over the area to feel the extent of the break.

Step 2: Control the Pain and Bleeding
If the broken tooth is causing pain or bleeding, rinse your mouth with warm water. This can help to clean the area and reduce any bleeding. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be taken to manage the discomfort, but be cautious with aspirin as it can thin the blood and increase bleeding.

Step 3: Preserve the Broken Piece
If a piece of your tooth has broken off, try to find it. If you can locate it, gently rinse it with water and place it in a container with milk or a tooth-preserving solution if you have one. This is important because in some cases, the dentist can reattach the broken piece.

Step 4: Apply Cold to Reduce Swelling
To minimize swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek in the area of the broken tooth. Use a bag of ice or a cold pack, and apply it for 10 minutes at a time, with 10-minute breaks in between.

Step 5: Seek Dental Care
Contact your dentist immediately. Even if the break seems minor, it's crucial to get a professional evaluation and treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage or complications, such as infection.

**Step 6: Follow Your Dentist's Instructions**
Your dentist will likely take X-rays to assess the internal damage and determine the best course of action. Depending on the severity, they may recommend various treatments, such as:

- Dental Filling or Bonding: If you have chipped off just a small piece of tooth enamel, your dentist may repair the damage with a filling. If the repair is to a front tooth or can be seen when you smile, your dentist will likely use a procedure called bonding, which uses a tooth-colored composite resin.

Step 7: Maintain Oral Hygiene
After treatment, continue to maintain good oral hygiene. Brush gently around the repaired area and floss daily to keep the area clean and prevent infection.

Step 8: Follow Up
Attend all follow-up appointments with your dentist. These visits are important to monitor the healing process and ensure that the repair is holding up.

Step 9: Prevent Future Breakages
To prevent future tooth breakages, consider the following:
- Wear a mouthguard if you participate in sports.
- Avoid biting hard objects like ice or pens.
- Practice good oral hygiene.
- Regular dental check-ups and cleanings.

Step 10: Consider a Dental Emergency Kit
Having a dental emergency kit at home can be beneficial. It might include items like dental floss, a small container for preserving a broken tooth fragment, and a list of emergency numbers.

Remember, prompt action is key when dealing with a broken tooth. The sooner you receive professional dental care, the better your chances of a successful repair and recovery.

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Dental Filling or Bonding. If you have chipped off just a small piece of tooth enamel, your dentist may repair the damage with a filling. If the repair is to a front tooth or can be seen when you smile, your dentist will likely use a procedure called bonding, which uses a tooth-colored composite resin.Aug 13, 2016read more >>