When the unexpected happens, it’s best to know how to respond. If you experience a dental emergency, like a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, it’s essential to schedule an emergency appointment as soon as possible—the earlier you call, the sooner we can fit you in.
The basic rules of oral hygiene still apply, but brushing your teeth can become more complicated when you’re caring for an extra-sensitive tooth.
To Brush or Not to Brush?
Whether you choose to brush your injured tooth depends on how painful it is. You don’t need to be worried about keeping toothpaste away from the tooth. There’s no reason to keep your tooth dirty, after all. Properly cleaning your teeth is always a good idea, as that sets them up for better overall health.
Try brushing lightly and gently to see how it feels. If you can proceed without much pain, then it’s okay to brush your teeth like normal.
Severe pain, on the other hand, may be a sign that a nerve is exposed. This is a dental emergency. Instead of attempting at-home care, it’s urgent to get straight to the clinic so we can care for the tooth and nerve and provide some much-needed pain relief.
How to Ease Minor Discomfort
If you’ve only experienced a minor break in the tooth and the pain isn’t keeping you up at night, it’s probably okay to wait a few days before coming in. It’s common to feel some sensitivity when brushing your teeth after an injury. We recommend picking up some Sensodyne® and using that on your toothbrush for the next few days. This can ease your discomfort while also keeping your smile clean and healthy until you have a chance to come see us.
Let Us Help Restore Your Smile
It’s never too late to recover your smile. Contact us straightaway for any dental emergency so we can provide treatment, keeping your smile healthy and strong far into the future.
* Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.