Just imagine…
You’re having a quick bite before heading out for a fun Saturday evening with friends. As you bite down on something hard, you experience a sharp excruciating pain. You’ve just broken your tooth!
Or maybe your child is out on their new hoverboard, and having a great time. And they don’t notice that crack in the pavement…oops, down they go, face first. And they come running back to the house with a cracked tooth.
Whatever the dental emergency, if it’s on the weekend…what do you do?
What Should You Do If You Break a Tooth On the Weekend?
A broken tooth is a dental emergency that requires prompt attention to avoid further complications, even on the weekends. Whether it’s a minor tooth fracture or more severe damage, immediate action can help prevent further complications.
And help ease the pain!
Your first step should be to contact your regular dentist’s office. Many dentists offer emergency services for situations like this, even on weekends and holidays. Our office is an emergency based clinic, and we can help.
A quick response will ensure that any remaining tooth structure is preserved as much as possible until professional care can be administered. A cracked tooth, even with severe tooth damage, might be saved if you get immediate dental treatment.
If you’re concerned about the cost, we offer affordable dental care.
You can schedule online, or give us a call. 816-360-9500
In our next section we’ll discuss what steps to take if getting a same-day appointment isn’t feasible.
Seek Immediate Care If You Break a Tooth
If your regular dentist’s office is closed, and you’re dealing with a dental crisis like a cracked tooth or fractured tooth, don’t delay seeking help.
Your best option might be to visit an emergency room or urgent care center that can handle a dental emergency. Call first!
The American Dental Association recommends this course of action especially when there’s intense pain.
Also if there’s exposed pulp causing extreme tooth sensitivity, missing teeth, or severe bleeding from gum tissue surrounding the tooth.
You may not get comprehensive services such as root canal treatments or complex procedures like full-on tooth extraction at these facilities, but they will provide immediate relief using over-the-counter pain relievers.
Self-help When You Break A Tooth On The Weekend
If you’ve broken your tooth over the weekend, there are several steps you can take while waiting to see the dentist.
First, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply pressure using gauze if there’s any bleeding from gum tissue around the broken pieces of the tooth.
You may experience intense pain due to exposed pulp. Over-the-counter pain relievers could help alleviate this discomfort temporarily.
Second, try to protect the remaining portion of the affected tooth by using dental wax on the sharp edge of the damaged tooth. Chewing gum (sugar-free) is also useful in emergencies when no dental wax is available.
This immediate care should tide you over till Monday morning when most regular dentists’ offices open up.
Watch this video to know what to do in case you can’t see your dentist urgently:
Note: This input is ONLY if you absolutely cannot make it to an emergency dentist in the meantime.
Follow Up Care For That Broken Tooth
After managing your broken tooth over the weekend, it is essential to promptly book an appointment with your local Kansas City dentist office.
The American Dental Association recommends seeing a dental professional promptly after any common dental emergency. Even if the tooth doesn’t look that bad, that tooth pain is letting you know it needs to be looked at.
Your dentist will assess the damaged tooth and can offer treatment options to save the tooth and restore it to its full pearly-white glory.
Emergency dental care is critical, as that chipped tooth can cause an infection, gum damage, and even tooth loss resulting in the need for a dental implant.
Recap What To Do If You Break A Tooth On The Weekend
In the event of a weekend tooth breakage, quick action is essential to prevent further discomfort and harm.
Contacting your dentist or seeking emergency care ensures you’re not left in pain or at risk of further damage. If your tooth is related to a larger accident, such as a sports injury or head trauma, be sure to seek urgent or emergency care including a concussion assessment to rule out other complications.
Be sure to communicate well with each medical professional in terms of the care you receive for adequate treatment coordination, including but not limited to pain medications.
Self-help measures can provide temporary relief until professional help is available.
A follow-up appointment with your dentist guarantees proper treatment and healing for your broken tooth.
If affordability is holding you back from getting the urgent dental care you need, Dental ER has got your back! We offer emergency services designed for patients who need quality care without breaking their budget.
Don’t let a broken tooth ruin your entire weekend; Call us now! 816-360-9500
FAQs About What To Do If You Break A Tooth On The Weekend
Questions about dental emergencies like cracked or chipped teeth may come up.
Can you leave a broken tooth for a week?
The American Dental Association advises against leaving any dental problems untreated for an extended period of time.
Avoiding emergency dental care can lead to severe pain and further complications like infection or more extensive damage to the remaining tooth structure.
How serious is a broken tooth?
The severity of your situation depends on factors such as how much natural tooth enamel remains intact and whether there’s exposed pulp leading to intense pain or sensitivity.
In some cases, minor fractures may not cause immediate discomfort but could still warrant attention from an emergency dentist due its potential impact on overall oral health over time.
What can you do for a broken tooth overnight?
If unable to reach your regular dentist immediately after experiencing common dental emergencies like knocked-out teeth or fractured ones during non-office hours,
You should rinse your mouth with warm water, apply pressure if there’s bleeding using gauze till bleeding stops,
Possibly cover sharp edges with sugar-free chewing gum or over-the-counter temporary filling material until you can get professional help at earliest convenience.
How do you temporarily protect a broken tooth?
To protect a broken tooth until seeing a dentist, use dental wax or temporary filling material available at pharmacies. Avoid eating hard foods and keep the area clean.
