Is a broken tooth an emergency?
A broken tooth may not necessarily constitute an emergency though any chipped or broken tooth should be addressed by your dentist as soon as possible. In the event that you cannot get to your dentist right away, you may need to seek medical treatment by someone else. Understanding dental emergencies and what does and does not require immediate medical attention can help you better determine what to do if you break a tooth.
Broken teeth are more common in young children and older adults but they can happen to anyone at any time. No one expects to break a tooth but simply eating something very hard or being involved in an accident or fall can cause damage to a tooth. If you have a small chip in your tooth that is bothering you, you are a dentist able to see you the same day or the next day to at least smooth the tooth of rough edges to prevent sores on your tongue or cheek.
When To Seek Emergency Dental Care
A minor chip can quickly turn into a major fracture so it is important to have any damage assessed and treated by your dentist as soon as you are able. It is unlikely that you will need to seek immediate medical attention for a minor chip or fracture though it will need to be addressed sooner rather than later, even if you are not experiencing any pain. Most hospitals have a dentist on staff so you will still be able to receive treatment from a dental professional, even if you cannot see your own dentist.
A true dental emergency requires immediate attention, if not by your dentist then another medical professional and needs to be attended to on the day the emergency occurs. It may be necessary to go to a hospital emergency room or an urgent care clinic in the event that you cannot get to your dentist due to extenuating circumstances, like being out of town.
Major tooth fractures often require emergency dental care to prevent the tooth from splitting in half and having to be extracted. If a large piece of tooth has broken off or your tooth is severely fractured, you will probably be uncomfortable and your tooth may be sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages. If a tooth is fractured through the enamel into the pulp, the pulp of the tooth can become infected from naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth and you will need a root canal to remove the infection before the fracture can be repaired.
If you chip or break a tooth, call your dentist as soon as you can. Even if you experience a dental trauma after business hours, the office will have an emergency number available to reach a doctor so that they can advise you and even see you if necessary.