3 Things That You Shouldn't Do If You Break A Tooth

Breaking a tooth can be a traumatic experience. While going through this trauma, it can be tough to know what you are supposed to do next. The steps that you take right after breaking your tooth can make a big difference in whether or not the tooth can be repaired, so it's important to make the right decisions. These are a few things that you shouldn't do after breaking a tooth.

1. Wait to See a Dentist

You might not think that a broken tooth really calls for emergency dental services, so you might think that it's not a problem to wait until you can schedule a regular appointment. Even though it might seem as if the damage is already done and that an emergency visit isn't really going to make a difference, you should know that it can actually make a huge difference. If your tooth is fixed right away, it might be possible for your dentist to actually restore and save your tooth. Therefore, it's critical to go ahead and see an emergency dentist as soon as possible after breaking a tooth.

2. Lose the Broken Piece

Another thing that you should be careful about is losing the broken piece off of your tooth after breaking a tooth. If you lose it, then your dentist obviously won't be able to reattach it. If you still have it, however, your dentist might be able to save your tooth. Just make sure that you don't allow it to get too dry. Instead, store it in milk or saliva to help preserve it until you're able to get to the dentist.

3. Bite with Your Broken Tooth

Until you are able to get to the dentist, it's not usually a good idea to actually use your broken tooth, such as by eating. If you bite down on something while your tooth is damaged, it could cause it to break even more. You may also find the experience to be incredibly painful. It's best to see a dentist immediately and to avoid eating until you have the issue resolved. If this is not possible, sticking to soft foods or chewing with the other side of your mouth can help prevent further damage and pain.

Breaking a tooth can be incredibly upsetting. If you avoid making these common mistakes after doing so, however, you can help prevent the situation from being even worse.