From crunching hard candy to facing a snowboarding accident, a broken tooth can be an undesirable outcome in any case.
If you did face such an unwanted dental issue, there’s no need to panic. Dental emergency services can rectify any complications related to a broken tooth. However, you should also be aware of some quick remedies before approaching the dentist’s clinic.
First, it is vital not to leave your broken tooth alone. Next, your focus should be on the practical remedies mentioned in this article.
So, without any further ado, here’s what you should do in case of a broken tooth.
What Causes Chipped or Broken Teeth?
Your teeth’ enamel is hard but not invincible. There are various ways that can impact or break your teeth. Here are some of the common causes of a broken tooth:
- Bad chewing habits
- Poor dental hygiene
- Accidental crash or blow to the mouth
- Sports accidents
- Constant intake of harmful foods
In any case, you will experience throbbing and intermittent pain in the mouth. You can identify a broken tooth through signs like craze lines, cracks, or a broken cusp.
Eventually, fool-proof treatment of such a tooth will require professional dental care. However, in the meantime, you can take acetaminophen to relieve the pain.
Also, consume soft foods (if necessary) and avoid biting before exploring professional medical treatments.
Medical Treatments for a Broken Tooth
Depending on the severity and position of your broken tooth, a dentist may suggest one of the following procedures.
1. Dental Veneers
In simple words, veneers are thin layers that a dentist places on your tooth. This layer covers the front portion of the tooth, making it look normal and healthy.
Your dentist can suggest the use of dental veneer mostly in case of a broken front tooth. This process will most likely include the following steps:
- Removal of tooth enamel from the surface
- Creation of tooth impression
- Veneer preparation
- Etching tooth surface with relevant liquid
- Placement of veneer on the tooth
You will need to follow the dentist’s guidelines until the final preparation of the veneer.
2. Bonding
The bonding process includes using a composite resin that resembles the tooth’s color. This procedure is applicable if only a portion of your tooth breaks during an accident.
Here’s the generalized bonding procedure:
- Etching of tooth surface
- Application of adhesive material
- Placement of bonding agent on the surface
- Use of UV light for hardening
This medical treatment can be handy in small to medium-intensity tooth chipping.
3. Dental Filling
This process aims at restoring the shape of a broken tooth. Depending on the extent of damage, your dentist can use silver, glass ionomer cement, porcelain, or gold alloys as the filler material.
Here are the common steps for filling a broken tooth:
- Use of local anesthesia to numb the concerned region
- Cleaning and washing of tooth
- Application of filling material to restore the original shape
- Evaluation of the filler material effectiveness
This is one of the most common procedures to treat broken teeth or decay.
4. Dental Caps
In case of damage to a large chunk of your tooth, dental caps can prove suitable. These caps come in the shape of the tooth and cover the remaining structure.
Depending on the extent of damage, you may need a root canal treatment before the attachment of the crown or cap. In the entire process, you might need to provide X-rays of the tooth. Next, the dentist can use filling material to create an impression for the cap.
In the meantime, you can utilize a temporary acrylic dental cap. The whole procedure can require multiple visits to the dentist’s office.
Steps To Treat the Broken Tooth at Home
Medical treatments are long-term professional solutions for a broken tooth. However, you need to stay alert and calm after a tooth breaks.
Certain measures can help reduce dental infections or complications that arise due to a broken tooth. These tips will reduce the pain and prevent further mouth injuries. Hence, you will be in a better position to approach the dentist for availing of specific treatment.
Here are some practical steps to follow to minimize the ill impact of a broken tooth.
Do Not Panic
It is natural to dread a broken tooth. After all, the pain and related complications are highly unfortunate. However, you need to gather your composure and avoid panicking.
First, gather the broken pieces of the tooth (if any) and place them in a dry container. Ensure that you do not swallow any piece of the broken tooth. Next, rinse the other teeth with warm water.
Ensure that you remove the dirt and debris in this process.
Relieve the Pain
Using over-the-counter medications like Tylenol can help relieve pain due to a broken tooth. Also, ensure that you rinse your mouth with salt water.
You can place a cold compress on the affected area to prevent swelling. This home remedy helps control the possibility of inflammation.
Finally, book an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible. Home remedies will only provide temporary relief. It is crucial to avail of expert advice and guidance at the earliest.
Care During Consuming Food
If possible, it is advisable to avoid eating food before reaching the dentist’s clinic. However, if you need to consume food, ensure a liquid or soft diet.
Do not eat anything that requires chewing or considerable movement of the jaw. It is always better to be safe in such circumstances.
Summing Up
A broken tooth requires prompt attention. However, you cannot rely on natural or household remedies to rectify such an issue. In most cases, a broken tooth can result in different symptoms.
Hence, expert dental care is essential to decide the most effective and safe treatment. Dental caps, bonding, fillers, root canal, and veneers are some well-known medical procedures to treat broken teeth.
So, ensure you do not delay approaching a reliable dental clinic and undergo appropriate treatment for a broken tooth.
