Breaking a tooth can be alarming and painful. The good news is that by acting calmly and quickly, you can get the care you need to restore the appearance and function of your tooth and relieve your pain. You might not know the exact steps to take for the best possible outcomes, so we’re here to help. Read on to learn more about broken teeth, how you should handle them, and which treatments are available.
What Should You Do If Your Tooth Breaks?
Broken teeth can range from a small chip to the complete breakage of an area, leaving the dentin and pulp exposed. Here are the steps you should take if your tooth breaks.
- Find and gather broken pieces of your tooth if you can. Place them in a container to take with you to the dentist.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to remove any dirt and debris.
- If your tooth is broken due to an injury, place a cold compress on the area to prevent swelling.
- Call your dentist to schedule an appointment. If you see yellow dentin or red, exposed pulp in your tooth. You should see a dentist right away.
- If your tooth is causing you pain, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or another over-the-counter pain reliever is directed.
- If the tooth has a sharp or jagged edge, cover it with orthodontic wax to keep it from cutting your tongue or lip.
- If you need to eat something, stick to soft foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth as the broken tooth.
How Is a Broken Tooth Treated?
Broken teeth are treated depending on the severity of the breaks. For minor chips, dental bonding is usually enough to repair the tooth. This involves your dentist using tooth-colored composite resin to build up your tooth. Then, a special light is used to harden the material and polish it for a natural-looking finish.
If a larger piece of your tooth breaks off, your dentist might opt to give you a dental crown. For this treatment, they remove damaged parts of the tooth and a small amount of protective enamel. Impressions are taken and a customized dental crown, or “cap,” is made and placed over the chewing surface of your tooth to build it up and keep it safe. Sometimes, dental crowns are paired with root canal treatment to save your tooth.
For severe breaks, a tooth extraction might be necessary to preserve the health of the rest of your smile. If this is the case for you, tooth replacement options are available to make your smile complete again.
Broken teeth can be scary, but by using the steps above, you can get the treatment you need to restore the appearance and function of your teeth!
About the Author
Dr. Rachel H. Clark earned her dental doctorate from Creighton University. Since then, she has been committed to continuing education to keep her knowledge and skills sharp. Currently, she is a proud member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Dental Association and the Kansas Dental Association. To learn more about emergency dentistry or to schedule an appointment at her office in Derby, visit her website or call (316) 847-7730.