If you have broken your tooth, then you want to make sure you take the appropriate steps to try to save your tooth, if possible, as well as to avoid damage to the inside of your mouth. The information here will teach you some of the steps you want to take to do this.

Treat the pain and control any bleeding

The first thing you want to do is to make sure you control the pain and bleeding. If you also cut the inside of your lip when you broke your tooth, then you want to hold a clean rag or piece of gauze to that part of your lip and apply enough pressure to help stop the bleeding. Once you get the bleeding under control, you can hold ice up to the outside of your mouth to help prevent some of the swelling and to help with pain. Don't take an aspirin product for pain relief if there was bleeding. If there wasn't, then you can take some to help you feel better.

Caring for the tooth

If your tooth is also loose, make sure you don't move it any more than it does on its own. This means, try not to eat any foods that need to be chewed, don't suck on a straw and be very careful when brushing your teeth until you are able to get in to see the dentist. Also, no matter how tempting it may be, don't wiggle it with your tongue or your finger.

If you can, try to locate and gather up the broken piece and put it into a plastic baggie for safe keeping. Bring it with you so the dentist can have a look at it. Even if they aren't able to do anything with the piece of tooth, it may help them with regards to rebuilding the rest of the tooth that you have left so it looks natural and as if nothing ever happened.

Get in to see the dentist ASAP

Call your dentist and let them know you have a dental emergency. If they aren't able to get you in right away, go to a dentist that can. The treatment for a broken tooth will depend on the severity of it. In some cases a crown or veneer will be used to give you back a whole tooth. In very serious cases, the tooth may need to be removed and replaced with a prosthetic tooth that comes in the form of a dental implant.