What To Do When You Break or Lose a Tooth

When I was in school, I saw a child fall on concrete, and when he got back up, one of his teeth was missing. After that situation, I ensured I knew what to do if it happened to someone else or myself. If y’all experience this injury, use my guide for what to do when you break or lose a tooth to preserve its viability and prevent permanent damage.

Do Not Throw Out the Tooth—Preserve It

Y’all might break a tooth, or one might fall out for various reasons, including getting hit in the face, tripping or falling, or even grinding your teeth. When this happens, never throw away your tooth—your dentist could possibly reattach it at your visit.

Preserve the tooth by rinsing off any debris or bacteria and then placing it in saline solution or milk; if you don’t have either, clean water will do. These liquids are excellent in keeping the tooth viable for the dentist. If your tooth breaks and it’s still inside and attached, do not try to remove it yourself.

Rinse out Your Mouth & Stop the Bleeding

Immediately after the incident, you will likely bleed from the impact. Thoroughly rinse out your mouth with water to rid the area surrounding your tooth of bacteria, debris, and blood. If you’re continuously bleeding, apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding. Use gauze or a towel to hold steady pressure, but do not irritate the area by scrubbing or moving the towel.

Call Your Dentist Immediately After

After the incident occurs, call your dental provider. The quicker you can see your dentist for repairs, the better your chance of preserving the tooth that broke or fell out. If you cannot call, enlist a friend or family member to help. The dentist can also provide y’all with additional advice until you arrive at the office.

It’s also advisable that you have the contact information of an emergency dentist readily available in cases like this one. Search for terms like “dentist near me Valencia” or “emergency dentist near me” in advance and visit them to check if you’ll like their services.

Alleviate Pain & Reduce Swelling

Lastly, you want to alleviate your pain and reduce swelling as you treat this common dental emergency. Apply a cold compress wrapped in a towel to your face near the area where the tooth broke. The cool temperature will help constrict your blood vessel and slow the bleeding while reducing the swelling of your gums.

If the pain is persistent and you are not getting any relief from the compress, try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. I always use ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin.

What y’all shouldn’t do when you break or lose a tooth is go directly to the emergency room. These medical professionals do not have the right tools to help with your emergency. I recommend only going to an ER if this injury becomes life-threatening. Remember, y’all need to see your dentist as soon as possible to save your tooth—use the guide to ensure you’re taking the proper steps before seeing your dental provider.