Cracked / Broken Tooth

The teeth are strong, but they are still prone to fractures, cracks and breaks. Sometimes fractures are fairly painless, but if the crack extends down into the root, it is likely that the pain will be extreme. Fractures, cracks and breaks can take several different forms, but are generally caused by trauma, grinding and biting. If a tooth has been fractured or cracked, there is no alternative but to see the dentist as quickly as possible.

Where a segment of tooth has been broken off, here are some steps that can be taken at home:

Call the dentist.
Rinse the tooth fragment and the mouth with lukewarm water.
Apply gauze to the area for ten minutes if there is bleeding.
Place a cold, damp dishtowel on the cheek to minimize swelling and pain.
Cover the affected area with over-the-counter dental cement if there is no way to see the dentist immediately.
Take a topical pain reliever.

Avulsed Tooth (Tooth Knocked Out)

If a tooth has been knocked clean out of the mouth, it is essential to see a dentist immediately. When a tooth exits the mouth, tissues, nerves and blood vessels become damaged. If the tooth can be placed back into its socket within an hour, there is a chance the tissues will grow to support the tooth once again.

Here are some steps to take:

Call the dentist.
Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it under warm water. DO NOT touch the root.
If possible, place it back into its socket – if not tuck it into the cheek pouch.
If the tooth cannot be placed in the mouth, put the tooth into a cup of milk, saliva, or water as a last resort. It is important to keep the tooth from drying out.
Get to the dentist, quickly and safely.

Loose Tooth

When a tooth has been loosened from its socket by trauma or decay, it might be possible to save it. If the tooth remains in the mouth and attached to the blood vessels and nerves, there is a good chance root canal therapy will not be necessary.
It is important to call the dentist immediately to make an appointment. In the meantime, use a cold compress and over-the-counter medications to relieve pain. The dentist will reposition the tooth and stabilize it. If the tooth fails to heal, root canal therapy may be required.

Lost Filling or Crown

Usually, a crown or filling comes loose while eating. Once it is out of the mouth, the affected tooth may be sensitive to temperature changes and pressure. Crowns may become loose because the tooth beneath is decaying. The decay causes shape changes in the teeth – meaning that the crown no longer fits.

If a crown has dropped out of the mouth, make a dental appointment as soon as possible. Keep the crown in a cool, safe place because there is a possibility that the dentist can reinsert it. If the crown is out of the mouth for a long period of time, the teeth may shift or sustain further damage.

DO NOT use any kind of glue to affix the crown yourself!
The dentist will check the crown to see if it still fits. If it does, it will be recemented to the tooth. In the event there is decay present, this will be treated and a new crown will be made.

Dental Abscess

A dental abscess can cause pain in the face (usually from an upper tooth), or pain in the area of the lower jaw (usually from a lower tooth), due to a buildup of pressure from an infection. The pain can be quite severe. This type of situation can also occur from other infections within the mouth, particularly from those related to the gum region, and impacted wisdom teeth; but are much less common in occurrence.

You should seek advice from a dentist urgently to get the abscess drained and/or treated quickly with antibiotics.

Cracked / Broken Tooth