What To Do After Accidental Damage to Your Teeth

What To Do After Accidental Damage to Your Teeth

You may never know how someone manages to break the tooth without the help of any other humans, but the aftermath of this event is never pleasant. Teeth are pretty tough if they stay intact, but all that said, a few common dental issues have some sneaky consequences. Teeth tend to take damage if they get exposed to something like chemicals or heat. Here are things to do after accidental damage to your teeth.

1. Take Care of That Cavity

The first and most important thing you can do after an accident is to take care of that cavity. After all, a tooth that was damaged becomes vulnerable to injury, and if left untreated, it could cause further damage depending on the extent of the break. A visit to your dentist is a good idea if you have any concerns about your teeth. The sooner you have your fillings and crowns replaced, the better.

Some people may not be able to return to their dentist immediately after an accident unless they are experiencing pain. However, if this is the case for you, there are other options for treatment. Your dentist can recommend temporary repairs in the form of a filling that will only last a few weeks.

2. Avoid The Sun

Do your best to avoid the sun’s rays. The heat will only make your toothache worse. If you have a chemical burn, rinse your mouth with water a few times a day to help alleviate some of that pain. You could also use an over-the-counter pain reliever for relief. A cold compress may also help with swelling.

3. Don’t Ignore the Pain

If you are experiencing any swelling or extreme pain after an accident to your teeth, you will want to see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can determine if there is any permanent damage or just a temporary result of the accident.

4. Keep It Clean

Another way to avoid further damage from a broken tooth is to keep it clean and avoid infections. You can avoid eating sticky foods because they will trap bacteria in the gap of your teeth, and refrain from rinsing with cold water or brushing too hard. After all, you could crack or chip the tooth even more.

5. Ask for Help

If you cannot care for your teeth on your own due to the damage, you may want to ask someone around you for help. Cleaning a tooth is not that complicated, so even if you don’t have a gap in your teeth, someone else should be able to do it for you.

6. See A Dentist Soon

After an accident involving teeth, it is best to see a dentist as quickly as possible. If there are any other broken or damaged teeth that have gotten exposed, they should get treated as well. Many things need to be taken care of immediately, but there is no reason to wait too long after an accident.

7. Avoid Using Your Teeth

You should avoid using your damaged tooth altogether when completing daily tasks. For instance, it is best not to use your teeth while eating. It may be difficult with broken or chipped teeth because you must chew food. Try chewing on the opposite side of the mouth and see if it makes a difference.

8. Change The Way You Eat

Another thing to do if you have a damaged tooth is to change your eating. You must be careful when chewing certain foods, especially ones with hard textures that can get stuck in the gaps between your teeth. Try eating softer foods like applesauce.

9. Get Dental Care

If you are experiencing pain after an accident, there is no reason why you should wait for it to go away since it could be a sign of more severe damage. If your teeth are sensitive or chipped, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your dentist for emergency dental care as soon as possible. The sooner you get to the dentist, the sooner your teeth can have a complete examination if any damage gets treated.

10. Change The Way You Brush

If you have damaged teeth that have gaps, use a soft brush to wash your mouth. You will want to brush carefully until all the food stuck in the gap gets removed. Then, you can change your normal brushing routine and use an electric toothbrush with a soft head to clean out those hard-to-reach places.

Taking care of your teeth after an accident is a good idea. It could be a little inconvenient initially, but it will make a big difference in the long run. You will agree that regular dental care is always great for your teeth and helps keep your teeth in tip-top shape.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *