The enamel covering your teeth is the strongest tissue in the body, but it isn’t indestructable. All it takes is an accidental fall, or biting down on something too hard, or some other mishap, and your tooth can break. If that happens to you it is a definite dental emergency, and you should contact us at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford.
The sooner you get here, the better. But if you can’t get here as fast as you would like to, there are a few things you can do first.
Pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers can take the edge off of any pain you’re experiencing. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be effective.
Rinse. Get a glass of warm salt water and rinse your mouth thoroughly.
Jagged edge? If the break has left a sharp or jagged tooth edge, cover it with a piece of sugarless gum, or a piece of wax paraffin. That will protect the inside of your cheeks and tongue.
Treatment
Once you settle into our chair we’ll assess the damage and determine the best way to fix it. Like procedures:
- Bonding. Depending on the size of the break, we may be able to repair it with a composite resin that matches the color of your teeth.
- Dental crown. The the remaining tooth under the break is decayed, it may be best to cover it with a crown. (The decay may have contributed to the break.)
- Veneers. These are an option for front teeth. Veneers are thin porcelain shells that cover the front of a tooth; it will make the tooth look whole and healthy.
The important thing is to get the damage treated as soon as you can. Otherwise it could become further damaged or get infected.
In any dental emergency, contact OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford right away. We specialize in emergency dentistry. In serious cases no appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are always welcome!
