Although teeth are one of the most complex components of our bodies, we rarely worry about breaking or cracking. However, anyone who has had a tooth broken or cracked knows how painful it can be. Breaking a tooth may seem like a significant concern because of what it can do to your smile’s appearance. On the other hand, a shattered tooth can quickly impair your oral health, as this dental injury might result in losing your tooth permanently. So, if you have a broken tooth, what should you do?
A fractured tooth might be split, cracked, chipped, or broken, and you cannot treat it at home. You can only put up with it. When a tooth breaks, not everyone feels the same amount of discomfort. Minor breaks usually don’t cause a lot of pain. The pain you experience can be consistent or come and go over time, no matter what happens. It’s a sign that the nerve or blood vessels in your tooth have been destroyed if you’re in constant or unbearable pain.
What Causes Broken Teeth?
Some tooth breaks are straightforward, such as those caused by an injury or a sports mishap, but others may be more perplexing. Here are some other typical causes of tooth breakage:
- Cavities and tooth decay are two of the most common dental problems. Continue your biannual dental examinations and cleanings so that we can detect decay early and we can preserve your tooth’s strength.
- Teeth can become weak as a result of your diet. Acids not only create cavities, but they also make your teeth thinner, more fragile, and more likely to break due to the minerals they drain from your teeth.
- Non-food items that are bitten or chewed can create many problems. Never use your teeth to bite, chew, or open packages. A fractured tooth can be caused by chewing on pencils, ripping with your teeth, and other similar activities.
- Your teeth and jaws should be positioned in a straight line on top of one another. Uneven pressure is applied to your teeth when teeth are crooked or your bite is off. When individuals do not get their teeth straightened, the uneven pressure can eventually lead to a broken tooth, which can occur suddenly.
- Sports and injuries. Contact sports are the most common cause of dental emergencies with broken teeth. If you play any contact sport or one with equipment that can impact the face, you should always wear a mouthguard (like a ball). If you don’t, you’re at risk of breaking a tooth.
What to do if you Have a Broken Tooth
The sooner Dr. Newman can treat your broken tooth, the greater your chances of saving it. The damage will only worsen over time, allowing germs to access the softer tissue layer beneath the enamel and the sensitive interior section of the tooth. It spreads from there, and an abscess – a pocket of diseased tissue – can form. If you experience a broken tooth, you should contact Newman Dental, your emergency dentist in Tucson, Arizona, as soon as possible. The sooner you visit us, the better it will be for your tooth. Dr. Newman will be able to tell you whether the nerve is in danger of irreparable damage or not.
However, in the meantime, you can rinse your mouth with warm water if a tooth chips. If there is any bleeding, apply pressure with a piece of gauze to the area. Broken teeth with sharp edges will cut your tongue and cheek and must be treated as soon as possible. Until you can visit Dr. Newman, you can temporarily cover the sharp edges with gum or dental wax. Over the broken tooth area, apply ice or a cold pack to your cheeks or lips. Ice will aid in the reduction of swelling and pain. If you need it, use an over-the-counter pain reliever. Keep the tooth fragments in water or milk with any tooth break, and don’t handle them more than necessary. Please bring them to the dental office with you.
Although we can repair most broken teeth with a root canal, crown, or cap that surrounds the tooth and strengthens it, some breaks are irreparable. In some cases, an extracted tooth has several replacement options, such as dental implants, bridges, or dentures. The treatment plan is determined by the size, location, and type of crack in your tooth.
A broken tooth can cause intense pain, alter your smile, and restrict your ability to eat certain foods. It’s not something to dismiss, especially if you’re experiencing pain. Allow us to assist you in restoring your smile and oral health if you have a damaged tooth. Call or visit Newman Dental right away if you have a fractured tooth.
