When a tooth is damaged, steps need to be taken immediately to provide appropriate care for the tooth. If something has happened to a filling, or if you damaged a tooth because of chipping, breaking or a fracture, take some steps until you can see your dentist. If you don't, the tooth will suffer other dental problems and infection may set in. You may even end up losing the tooth.

If something has happened to cause a tooth to become broken, chipped or fracture in some way, take steps to see your dentist within two to three hours of the time that the damage was sustained. Of course, if the damage is extensive, or comes about as the result of a trauma of some sort, such as a motor vehicle accident, you may need to be treated at the emergency room before you can see your dentist or dental technician. In most cases, the damaged area can be repaired, or the tooth can be saved through more aggressive treatment, such as capping or filling.

The first thing you should worry about is bleeding. This can be stopped it you apply direct, gentle pressure to the affected gum area, not to the tooth itself. Depending on the area of the damaged tooth, you apply pressure above or below the tooth. For an upper tooth, apply pressure above the tooth, for a lower tooth, apply pressure on the area of the gums just below the tooth. If there is swelling, rinse your mouth gently with warm water and then apply a cold compress to the area.

If you find a piece of a broken or chipped tooth after you have had damage to a tooth, bring the piece or pieces with you when you go to the dentist. Since he has the required skills and equipment, many times the dentist can repair the tooth with these broken pieces. He will usually cement them back together, and that is cheaper and easier than having to replace the tooth. You don't have to bring lost fillings if you find them, because the dentist can just as easily make a new filling for that tooth.

You have to be careful if you have jagged edges on a tooth that was chipped or broken. Sharp ends often irritate the surrounding soft tissue of the mouth and can cause a great deal of pain. As an emergency measure, to prevent this, press a small piece of soft wax into the damaged area. You can prevent unneccessary damage to your gums with this method until you can see the dentist and he can file down the edge when he sees you.

Until you've be seen by your dentist, only eat soft foods, and be sure that you chew on the opposite side of the mouth from where the damaged was inflicted. Chewing on the side of the damaged tooth can cause irritation, eventual infection, further damage or tooth loss. It's best, too, to avoid food with extreme temperatures. Foods that are too hot or cold can cause pain and irritate the damaged area, so aim for a lukewarm temperature.

One of the things that you should avoid is taking any aspirin product that may interrupt the coagulation process. Advil, Motrin and Aleve are alright, as long as they're taken in small doses. Just be sure that you don't have any allergies which might present a problem when taking these OTC medications, and confirm that they won't interfere with any prescription medicines that you may be taking at the time. A quick call to your pharmacist should provide the answer to that question.

If you follow these common-sense guidelines and take steps to repair dental damage, you will probably not lose the tooth, and you'll increase your chances of keeping the damage to a minimum. If you visit your dentist regularly, and keep your teeth healthy and clean, you'll also increase your chances of them healing quickly.