Broken tooth in City Heights? Here’s what to do.

Getting to us from City Heights

We are on University Ave between 52nd and 54th Streets, on the south side, next to Vien Dong Supermarket. Many City Heights residents do not need to drive — you can walk, bike, or hop on MTS Route 7 (University Ave) or Route 11 (Adams Ave) and be at the office in minutes.

Nearest landmark intersection: University Ave & 54th Street.

Possible causes

Common reasons behind broken tooth. Only an exam can confirm the cause for you.

• ✓Biting down on something hard (a kernel, a bone, ice)
• ✓An accident, fall, or sports injury
• ✓A large old filling weakening the surrounding tooth
• ✓Grinding or clenching wearing the tooth down over time
• ✓A previously root-canalled tooth becoming brittle

What you can try right now

These are general suggestions, not medical advice. Follow the directions on any product you use, and ask your dentist or doctor if you are unsure.

• •Rinse your mouth gently with warm water; save any tooth fragments in milk or saliva.
• •For bleeding, apply steady pressure with clean gauze or a tea bag for 10–15 minutes.
• •For a knocked-out adult tooth: pick it up by the crown (the chewing surface), do not scrub the root, put it back in the socket if you can, otherwise store in milk and come in immediately.
• •Cover a sharp edge with a small piece of sugar-free gum or orthodontic wax to protect your tongue and cheek.
• •Avoid chewing on that side until you are seen.