what to do when you break or lose a tooth
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What to Do When You Break or Lose a Tooth

What to Do When You Break or Lose a Tooth

Pikes PeakSep 15 2021

You need your teeth to complete day-to-day tasks like speaking and eating, and it can be very stressful to break or lose your adult teeth. Many things can cause broken or lost teeth, from traumatic facial injuries to oral pathologies. Although your dentist can handle many tooth injuries, some serious tooth and facial injuries are best treated by oral surgeons. In fact, most hospitals often have oral surgeons on call to treat emergency facial trauma cases.

All of us at Pikes Peak Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center know that tooth injuries can be extremely frightening, so we want to share some information to help you prepare for a broken tooth. These tips can help you improve the chances of saving your natural tooth if you lose or break one. If a tooth cannot be saved, Dr. Michael Kunkel will be happy to discuss your options regarding replacement of broken or lost teeth with the use of dental implants and other restorative techniques.

For Broken Teeth:

See your oral surgeon or dentist as soon as possible. If you experience bleeding, you may gently swish with water, then bite on gauze. If you have pain or swelling, apply a bag of ice or frozen veggies wrapped in a towel to the side of your face.

Sometimes teeth break because of internal factors, like old cracks or cavities. More severe cavities may require extra procedures to repair. Dental professionals can evaluate your specific situation and treat you accordingly, so be sure to go in as soon as possible if you crack or break a tooth.

For Knocked-Out Teeth (Avulsed Teeth):

Try to bring the tooth to your oral surgeon within a half an hour of it coming out. After 30 minutes, the chances of saving the tooth decrease significantly. You might need to go to a hospital if your injury was severe. Oral surgeons are experts in saving an avulsed tooth, as well as the treatment of other facial injuries, so your surgeon can assess the tooth while also evaluating other facial structures to ensure there was no additional damage.

Never hold the root of the tooth—only hold the white, biting side. If the tooth falls on the ground, you may gently remove any debris, but don’t scrub or excessively clean the tooth, because the connected tissues can be crucial for reattachment. Also, never use cleaners like soap, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide to try to sanitize the tooth. If you can safely and easily push the tooth back into the socket, this gives the tooth the best chance of survival. If not, save the tooth in a container with some whole milk or saliva to preserve it and bring it into the dental office.

Bite down on gauze to slow bleeding. Serious face and mouth injuries may require surgery to repair the function and aesthetics of your face. When knocked-out teeth cannot be restored, dental implants can be used to replace the missing teeth. Dental implants are the best functional and aesthetic option to restore oral function and your smile for years to come.

We hope these tips will help you if you ever break or lose a tooth. If you experience a facial trauma injury, contact our office, and we will schedule your appointment as soon as possible (usually the day you call). Our surgeon specializes in facial injuries and tooth restoration through dental implants, so feel free to contact us for your oral health needs.

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5.0 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (~241 reviews) on Google

Hello. My name's Diana; I’m from Monument, Colorado. I had an impacted wisdom tooth; this infection grew and grew. By the time I went to the emergency room, the infection had moved towards half my face and moving towards my neck. The ER doctors, they called in an oral surgeon who happened to be on call which I was very fortunate that that doctor was Dr. Kunkel. Dr. Kunkel checked on me every day and made sure that the antibiotics were the right ones to work for the infection that I had. The whole time, I felt I was in excellent hands, and he totally put me at ease through this whole procedure. I would recommend Dr. Kunkel and his staff to anyone.

- Diana

My first name is Rockey Bell; I’m from Colorado Springs, Colorado. I had this big lump inside my mouth, and I wasn’t really sure what it was. It was a little painful, so I came here to see what they could do with that nasty-looking thing. I was very nervous because I had thought maybe it might be cancer, or I really didn’t know what it was. Dr. Kunkel is a very proficient doctor. He’s very intelligent, and he talks to you like you’re human. I think the staff are amazing. They’ve helped me with every issue I’ve had. They made me feel comfortable. I would recommend anybody from Colorado Springs, Monument, Falcon to Dr. Kunkel.

- Rockey

I’m Andrea Brown, and I’m from Colorado Spring, Colorado. I came to Pikes Peak Oral Surgery because I had an abscessed tooth that was getting infected. Dr. Kunkel did an extraordinary job in treating me, in diagnosing me, and I feel real comfortable that I’m on the road to recovery right now. The staff at Dr. Kunkel’s office is just wonderful. I bring them treats. They are so sweet. They are terrific. It’s a real nice, friendly, tight-knit group. If I were to recommend an oral surgeon to any of my friends in Peregrine or Briargate, I would definitely recommend Dr. Kunkel. I’ve been thrilled with his care.

- Andrea

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