Although the enamel that covers the teeth is one of the hardest and mineralized tissues in the human body, it also has limits to its strengths. And several factors can cause it to break or crack – from receiving a massive blow to your face or falling to biting on something too hard. A broken tooth can cause you to worry, but you shouldn’t, as there are several things you and your dentist can do to fix it. Let’s take a look at some of them.
What You Can Do After Breaking Your Tooth
Cracked tooth
If you experience a crack on your tooth or a minor chip, you can take some safety measures before visiting your dentist. For example, you’ll need to stay away from biting on hard substances or eating food that is tough to chew. It would be best if you also avoided foods with extreme temperatures. You can opt for over-the-counter pain medication as and when you need to.
Broken Teeth
If you experience a broken tooth, your best option is to call or visit a reliable dentist like Prince Dental Group in Midway, Utah, or near you immediately. But before you receive professional help, there are a few things you can do.
- Rinse your mouth gently with salt water or warm water.
- Apply a cold compress to the outer region where the broken tooth is.
- Place a gauze into the area to help soak up any bleeding. Alternatively, you can also use a wet tea bag. It is important to note that if there’s any bleeding, it should subside after 10 minutes.
- If you experience a severe tooth break, you need to see your dentist within 24 hours. But the earlier, the better. If that is impossible, you can opt for dental cement as a quick fix until you see your dentist.
- If your tooth removes completely, you need to visit your dentist as a matter of emergency. When handling the tooth, do not grab it by the root. Only handle it by the crown. Although it is possible to place the tooth back into its socket, it needs to be done the right way by your dentist.
How Your Dentist Can Help You
Dental bonding or filling: If you chipped a small portion of your tooth, your dentist could repair the damage with dental bonding or filling. Bonding is often the preferred treatment if the damage is caused to the front part of your tooth. The process uses a tooth-colored composite resin.
Dental cap or crown: If you lose a large part of your tooth, your dentist may resort to grinding or filing away a section of the damaged tooth and shielding it with a tooth-shaped crown or cap. Doing this will help protect the remaining tooth while improving its appearance.
Dental veneers: Your dentist can also use a dental veneer to make a broken or chipped tooth look healthy and whole again. This option will cover the entire front portion of the tooth.
Root canal therapy: If your tooth breaks or chips considerably that it exposes your pulp, it may be exposed to bacteria contained in your mouth. Your dentist can use root canal therapy to remove any dead pulp, clean the root canal, and seal it.
