Work Hard, Play Hard: How to Fix a Broken Tooth After a Fight or Accident

Life in Fort McMurray can be tough: long hours, demanding jobs, and the occasional rough night out. Whether you’re dealing with a work-related incident or something that happened after hours, your smile may be paying the price.

Have no fear – a chipped or broken tooth doesn't have to be permanent. If you're wondering how to fix a tooth quickly and effectively, YMM Dental offers fast, reliable solutions, including dental implants in Fort McMurray. We've got you covered for all your dental emergencies - so you can get back to your life with confidence. 

Steps for Dealing With Your Damaged Tooth

Step 1: Assess the Damage

There are different types of dental injuries:

• Small chip vs. deep fracture

• Loose tooth vs. knocked-out tooth

• Bleeding gums vs. soft tissue damage

First, check for any pain, sensitivity, or sharp edges that might cut your tongue.

Step 2: Immediate First Aid 

If your tooth is chipped or cracked, rinse your mouth with warm water and avoid eating on that side. If your tooth is loose, avoid touching or wiggling it. 

For a tooth that’s been knocked out:

• Find the tooth, if possible

• Rinse it gently with water; don’t scrub

• Place it back in the socket if possible, or store it in milk/saline until you can get to the dentist.

In all cases, you can control bleeding by applying gauze and using a cold compress to reduce swelling.

Step 3: Seek Treatment at YMM Dental

For minor chips, our team will apply dental bonding or a filling to repair minor damage. For larger breaks, your tooth may require a dental crown. If you’ve lost a tooth, YMM Dental can fit you for dental implants, bridges, or dentures right in Fort McMurray.

For dental emergencies, YMM Dental provides quick treatment for urgent cases.

Step 4: Prevent Future Dental Injuries

To prevent future emergencies, wear a custom-fitted mouthguard for work and sport, and avoid physical conflict where possible. 

How To Manage Pain Before Your Appointment

Depending on the cause of your broken tooth, you may experience some pain. There are several ways to minimize pain until you can see a dentist, including:

• Over-the-counter medications: Take the recommended dosage of acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. 

• Protect exposed area: A broken tooth may expose the nerve and cause intense pain when it’s exposed to air. Try putting sugar-free gum or temporary dental cement on the area until you see your dentist.

• Cover sharp spots with wax: A broken tooth, no matter where it is in your mouth, may cause a sharp edge that rubs against the inside of your mouth. Use dental wax to protect your mouth. 

• Soft and Cool Foods: Exposed nerves can cause pain, especially if you eat hard food or hot food. Temporarily eat soft, cool foods.

Common Causes of a Broken Tooth

• Accidents/trauma: The impact of an accident can cause teeth to break instantly. Often, dentists see broken teeth from bike and ski accidents. Trauma to the teeth can cause bacteria to form underneath the exposed area, leading to an infection if not treated. 

• Tooth decay: Over time, your teeth can slowly chip due to decay. This may become a problem if the chip leads to a gap in your mouth. 

• Broken crown: A sturdy structure can sometimes break. A crown that chips or breaks completely may expand the space between two teeth, increasing the risk of infection from food that gets stuck. 

• Biting hard food/objects: Biting hard candy, popcorn kernels, and nuts can break your teeth, leading to pain and possible infection. 

• Teeth grinding: Grinding and clenching can cause pressure on your teeth. Over time, your teeth can chip or break. 

Broken Tooth? We Can Fix It

For regular care, schedule routine dental check-ups to catch minor issues before they worsen. Dental Implants and Emergency Dental Care in Fort McMurray. Even the worst injuries can be repaired. 

Contact the experts at YMM Dental in Fort McMurray for dental implants or a solution for your broken or missing tooth. Worried about the cost? We proudly serve clients under the CDCP. Have a broken tooth? Don’t wait, call us today to get it fixed!