Is a Broken Tooth An Emergency?

It's common for someone to break, chip or knock out a tooth after a falling down, eating something hard or getting into a fight. If your tooth is chipped, it's considered a non-emergency dental appointment and smoothed down and filled. However, if your tooth has been knocked out or is badly broken, accompanied by constant bleeding, a dentist appointment is needed immediately. A good dentist will be able to accommodate your emergency. If you aren't able to get to a dentist quickly, you can rinse your mouth with warm water an apply pressure to stop the bleeding. To reduce any swelling, use an icepack.

Broken teeth include chipped teeth, fractured teeth, cracked teeth and loosened or knocked out teeth. They are classified into the following:

If you aren't sure if you are having a dental emergency or not, ask yourselves the following questions:

• Are you in severe pain?
• Are you bleeding from the mouth?
• Did you lose any teeth?
• Have you been hit in the face or mouth?
• Do you have a swelling in the mouth or facial area?
• Do you have any bulges, swelling or knots in your gums?

How can I be prepared for a dental emergency?
Since a dental emergency can happen at any time and place, the best thing to do is be prepared and not to panic. Always carry a small dental first aid kit with you, especially when you're out playing sports.
Your kit should contain the following:

• A small container with a lid.
• Name and phone number of your dentist.
• Acetaminophen- Not aspirin or Ibuprofen, as they can act as blood thinners and cause excessive bleeding during emergencies.
• Gauze.
• Clean handkerchief.

How can I avoid dental emergencies?
Dental emergencies can easily be avoided by having routine checkups with your dentist to ensure that your mouth and teeth are healthy, strong and free from decay.
While playing sports, wearing a mouth guard can help prevent teeth from being chipped, knocked out or broken.
Avoid chewing on ice and hard foods that may break or fracture your teeth.
If you plan on travelling out of the country on an extended vacation, where you might not have ready access to dental care, it is necessary that you see your dentist for a routine checkup before you go.