Biting into something hard, suffering a sports injury, or even grinding your teeth at night can result in a chipped or broken tooth. While it’s alarming to see or feel damage to your tooth, knowing how to respond in those critical first moments can protect your tooth and prevent further complications. If you’ve chipped or broken a tooth in Coralville, Coral West Dental can provide the expert care you need from Dr. Rubel.

Here’s your complete guide to handling a chipped or broken tooth before you reach the dentist’s office.

Assess the Damage

First, take a moment to carefully assess the situation. Look in a mirror to see the extent of the damage. Feel the area gently with your tongue to identify sharp edges, but be careful not to cut yourself. Check for pain when biting down or touching the tooth. Look for any bleeding from the gums or surrounding tissue. Collect any tooth fragments if pieces have broken off.

Understanding the severity helps you know how urgently you need care and what information to provide when you call Dr. Rubel’s office.

Types of Tooth Damage

Minor chips are small chips in the enamel that don’t expose the inner tooth layers. These typically aren’t painful but should still be treated to prevent sharp edges and future problems.

Moderate breaks are fractures that extend into the dentin, the layer beneath enamel. You may experience sensitivity to temperature and pressure with this type of damage.

Severe fractures are breaks that reach the pulp, which contains the nerve and blood vessels inside the tooth. These are painful and require immediate attention to save the tooth.

Cracked teeth have vertical or horizontal cracks that may not be immediately visible but cause pain when biting. These can worsen over time without treatment.

Immediate Steps to Take

Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area and remove any debris or blood. This helps you see the damage more clearly and keeps the area clean.

If pieces of your tooth have broken off, rinse them gently with water, place them in a small container with milk or saliva, and bring them to your dental appointment. Sometimes Dr. Rubel can reattach these fragments, especially for front teeth where aesthetics matter.

If your gums are bleeding, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a damp tea bag. Hold for 10-15 minutes without checking repeatedly. If bleeding continues after 20 minutes, seek immediate medical attention.

Take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed. Apply a cold compress to your cheek near the affected area for 15-20 minutes. Repeat every hour as needed to reduce swelling. Avoid aspirin, which can increase bleeding.

Cover sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum to prevent cutting your tongue or cheek. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. Don’t bite down on the damaged tooth. Stick to soft foods until you can see Dr. Rubel.

If the tooth is sensitive to temperature, avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks. Breathe through your nose rather than your mouth to avoid air irritating the tooth. Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth if you have it available.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Contact Coral West Dental immediately if you experience severe pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication, significant bleeding that won’t stop, large pieces of tooth missing, exposed nerve (you’ll know because the pain is intense), swelling or signs of infection, difficulty eating or speaking, or sharp edges cutting your mouth.

Even if you’re not in severe pain, call Coral West Dental within 24 hours of chipping or breaking a tooth. Prompt treatment prevents complications and often saves you from needing more extensive and expensive procedures later.

Treatment Options at Coral West Dental

When you see Dr. Rubel for your chipped or broken tooth, treatment will depend on the extent of damage.

For minor chips, dental bonding uses tooth-colored composite resin applied to rebuild the tooth. Polishing can smooth rough edges and restore the tooth’s appearance.

For moderate breaks, a dental crown is a cap that covers and protects the entire tooth. A veneer is a thin shell that covers the front surface, typically used for front teeth. An onlay is a custom-made filling for larger areas of damage.

For severe fractures, a root canal removes damaged pulp and saves the tooth. A crown then protects the tooth after root canal treatment. Extraction is only performed if the tooth can’t be saved.

Dr. Rubel will explain your options and recommend the best treatment to restore both function and appearance.

Chipped or broken a tooth in Coralville? Don’t wait and risk further damage. Contact Coral West Dental today to schedule an emergency appointment with Dr. Rubel and get your smile back on track.