Teeth break for a lot of reasons — biting down on a popcorn kernel, an old filling that finally gave out, a fall. Whatever the cause, the question is the same: what do you do in the next hour?
First, slow down
A broken tooth feels alarming, but most broken teeth are not dental emergencies in the strict sense. They're urgent — not life-threatening. You have time to think and call us before deciding what to do.
Save the piece if you can
If the broken-off piece of tooth is still in your mouth or pocket, save it. Drop it in a small container with milk or saliva. Sometimes — especially with front teeth — we can bond the piece back into place.
Rinse, compress, watch for pain
Rinse your mouth gently with warm water. If your gum is bleeding, fold a clean piece of gauze over the area and bite down for ten minutes. Over-the-counter pain reliever can take the edge off until we see you.
If a sharp edge is cutting your tongue or cheek, a piece of sugar-free chewing gum or a bit of dental wax (available at most pharmacies) makes a temporary buffer.
Call us before you call the ER
The hospital emergency room can stop bleeding and prescribe a painkiller, but they cannot do dental restoration. If we're open, calling our office at 540-337-6004 gets you on the same-day emergency schedule — and we can usually have the tooth restored, bonded, or temporarily crowned in a single appointment.
After hours
If a broken tooth happens after our clinical hours (Mon–Fri 8–5), control bleeding and pain at home and call us at 540-337-6004 first thing in the morning. We hold same-day emergency slots specifically for this.