Q: What should I do if I break a tooth?
A: It's not unheard of for a tooth to break as the result of an accident like a fall, or from biting on a very hard object, like an unpopped corn kernel or an ice cube. In the long term, the tooth will have to be rebuilt with an inlay, onlay or crown. Until you can get to the dentist, though, press a protective cover of dental wax over the broken tooth. Dental wax, by the way, is one of the items you should keep at home in a dental emergency kit.
Generally it's not possible to reattach the broken part of a tooth. But keep the broken part if you can and bring it with you when you visit your dentist. If the broken fragment is part of a restoration the dentist may be able to do something with it. Let the dentist be the judge.
A knocked-out tooth is a different story. If a knocked-out tooth is protected-don't scrub it-and dental treatment is available quickly, it often can be reimplanted successfully. Talk with your dentist about the first-aid steps you should take in the event of a dental emergency.
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