Is a broken tooth an emergency?
A broken tooth does not necessarily constitute an emergency. While a broken tooth should certainly be addressed as soon as possible, sometimes you cannot get to your dentist right away. Understanding dental emergencies and what requires immediate medical attention can help you better determine what you need to do if you break a tooth.
A dental emergency is a situation that requires immediate attention from your dentist or other medical professional and being seen the same day. In the event that you cannot get to your dentist or maybe you are out of town, it may be necessary to go to a hospital emergency room or urgent care clinic. 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. This will at least get you out of pain and address any issues that need to be handled immediately.
How do I know if I need to seek emergency treatment?
A broken tooth can happen in a matter of seconds from eating something very hard (popcorn kernels!) or being involved in an accident. A minor tooth fracture or a simple chipped tooth will not require immediate attention though it will need to be addressed sooner rather than later, even if you are not experiencing any pain or sensitivity. A minor chip can quickly turn into a major fracture so it is important to have any damage assessed by your dentist as soon as you can.
Major tooth fractures will likely require emergency dental care. If a large piece of tooth has broken off or your tooth is fractured severely, you will probably be uncomfortable and may have tooth sensitivity to hot and cold. If a tooth is fractured through to the pulp, the pulp of the tooth can become infected and you will require a root canal to remove the infection and get out of pain. A large fracture in a tooth can turn into a split tooth that will need to be extracted so it is vital to seek emergency treatment for severe fractures.
If you break a tooth, call your dental office as soon as you can, regardless of evening, weekends or holidays. Even if they are not open, the office will have an emergency number available to reach a doctor so that they can advise you and even see you if necessary. If you need help during business hours, you will likely be able to get in on the same day since most offices reserve time in their schedule for just such emergencies! And of course, there is always the option of visiting a hospital.
Depending on the severity of your broken tooth, you may be able to wait to see your dentist at a more convenient time. If you have a small chip that is rough to your tongue, that can usually wait until your next scheduled visit. If it is a small chip but is bothering you, your dentist may be able to see you the next day to at least smooth the tooth and keep you from running your tongue over it all day and night!