Thereβs nothing worse than waking up after a night of partying and realising you chipped your tooth. Thatβs probably because it leads to several challenges: how do you prevent it from getting worse, how do you make sure it doesnβt get infected, and how can you keep these things from happening again, especially right before an upcoming first date? Fortunately, all is not lost. Visit your dentist immediately. Read on for tips on what to do if you break your tooth while partying and how to keep this from ever happening again!
A fall, an accidental knock or biting something hard can chip a tooth during a celebration. Even if the damage looks small, a dentist should check whether the tooth has a deeper crack. What you do in the first few hours may also help preserve a broken fragment for repair.
What Should You Do Immediately After Breaking a Tooth?
Rinse your mouth gently with water. If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze. Look for the broken piece and place it in a clean container with milk or saliva; your dentist may be able to reattach it. Do not scrub the fragment or try to glue it back yourself. Avoid chewing on the injured side. If your lip or cheek is swollen, hold a cold compress against the outside of your face. Contact a dentist and describe how the injury happened, whether the tooth is loose and how much pain or bleeding you have.Β
Check to see if itβs just chipped and or you really broke a tooth.
If you break your tooth, the first thing youβll want to do is make sure itβs not broken all the way through. If it is, there is a chance bacteria can get into the break and lead to an infection. This can get bad quickly, so if youβre unsure whether or not your chipped tooth is broken, make sure you visit the dentist as soon as you can. If it isnβt broken all the way through, make sure to keep an eye on it and make sure it doesnβt get worse throughout the night. If it looks like itβs getting worse, try to calm it down with some ice or a cold, wet towel.
Few words by Dr. Chirag Chamria
You may be shocked but it is fairly common to see that accidental chipping of teeth while partying or too quite close to an important day in your life.
If you have broken your tooth then do these things:
- Immediately visit the dentist with the broken piece.
- Save the broken piece in milk and not in drinking water.
- In case of pain, a painkiller would help.
At Royal Dental Clinics, depending on the severity of the breakage, we would simply,
- Smoothen the rough edges
- Do an aesthetic composite fillings
- Complete a pulp therapy with cap.
In very rare cases would there be a need to replace the broken tooth with implants.
Make an appointment with your dentist ASAP.
If you break a tooth, itβs important to get it checked out by a dentist right away. First, you want to make sure that itβs not broken all the way through, if it is, this will allow your dentist to make sure that the bacteria arenβt able to enter the inside of your tooth. Beyond that, most dentists will recommend installing a filling or a crown on the tooth to prevent it from getting worse as time goes on. This is especially important if you intend on going on a date shortly or if you want to maintain a healthy, confident smile!
Dr. Chirag Chamria is a Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with extensive training in zygomatic implants, cosmetic dentistry, orthognathic surgery, full mouth and oral cancer rehabilitation.
Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?
A small chip without significant pain usually still needs a dental appointment, but a badly broken or loose tooth should be assessed promptly. Seek urgent dental care if you have severe pain, persistent bleeding, a visibly exposed pink or red area inside the tooth, or difficulty biting normally. If the injury also caused significant facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or trouble breathing, seek emergency medical care.
What If the Whole Tooth Has Come Out?
AΒ knocked-out tooth is different from a broken fragmentΒ and needs immediate attention. If it is a permanent tooth, hold it by the crown rather than the root. Seek dental care as soon as possible, ideally within 30 minutes. If you cannot put it back safely, keep it moist in milk or an appropriate tooth preservation medium while travelling to the dentist.Β Never reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth.
Wear a soft, plastic mouth guard while you party.
If youβre able to find a soft, plastic mouth guard like those used by athletes or those who grind their teeth you might be able to prevent breaking a tooth in the first place. If you wear a mouth guard while you party, itβll be able to absorb some of the impact if you accidentally bump your teeth against something like a person on the dance floor, for example! Be sure to wear the mouth guard for the entire duration of the party and remove it as soon as you get home.
If you donβt have a mouthguard handy, try holding a piece of gum or candy in your mouth while you party. It might not help you avoid breaking your tooth as a mouthguard would. But it can help keep your mouth moist and fresh, which can go a long way in reducing your risk of bad breath.
Ask your dentist about sealants and fluoride treatments.
If you break a tooth. Itβs important to try to prevent that break from getting worse with a filling or crown. Unfortunately, not all tooth breaks will be able to be fixed. If this is the case, ask your dentist if theyβre able to seal the break with a sealant. If you break your tooth as a child, your dentist might recommend installing a fluoride treatment.
These treatments can help remineralize the tooth. Which can be helpful if the break is small and hasnβt been fully repaired. Be sure to visit the dentist for these treatments as soon as you can. So that they can help minimize any potential long-term damage.
Try using a breath-freshening gum or breath spray.
Breaking a tooth while you party is likely to make your breath smell like a party all its own! Thatβs why itβs important to use a breath-freshening gum or breath spray throughout the night to help keep your breath as fresh as possible. Beyond keeping your breath as fresh as possible during the night. These can help prevent any bacteria from entering your bloodstream from your teeth and gums. If you break a tooth while partying, bacteria can enter your blood and lead to an infection. Using a breath-freshening gum or spray can help prevent this from happening.
Conclusion
A broken tooth does not always mean losing the tooth. Save any fragment, avoid chewing on the injured side and arrange a dental assessment. Early examination helps the dentist identify the extent of damage and choose the most suitable repair.
FAQs
Can a dentist fix a broken front tooth?
Often, yes. Depending on the fracture, the dentist may reattach the fragment, use composite bonding or recommend a crown. Deeper injuries may need additional treatment.
Should I keep the broken piece of tooth?
Yes. Place it in milk or saliva and bring it to your dentist. It may be possible to reattach it.
Can I wait if my chipped tooth does not hurt?
Arrange a dental appointment even if there is little pain. An examination can identify sharp edges or damage that is difficult to judge at home.
Will I need an implant after breaking a tooth?
Usually, repair options are assessed first. An implant may be discussed only if the tooth cannot be saved and replacement is appropriate.
Can mouthwash or chewing gum prevent infection in a broken tooth?
No. They cannot seal a fracture or treat damage inside the tooth. A dentist needs to examine the tooth and recommend the appropriate care.
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Medical Disclaimer
This article is for patient education only. Dental treatment should be planned after clinical examination, medical history review, and X-rays or scans where required. Treatment suitability, cost, timeline, healing, and results vary from patient to patient.
