Breaking a tooth can be alarming and painful! Fortunately, by acting calmly and quickly, you can get the care you need to restore the appearance and function of your tooth and get out of pain. You may not know the exact steps to take for the best possible outcome, so we’re here to help! Continue reading to learn more about broken teeth, how to handle them, and available treatment options.
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 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 immediately.
- If your tooth is causing you pain, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or another over-the-counter pain reliever as 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 must eat, 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 break. 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, they will use a special light to harden the material and polish it for a natural-looking finish.
If a larger price of your tooth breaks off, your dentist may 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 very severe breaks, a tooth extraction may 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 after the area has healed.
A broken tooth can be alarming! By using the steps above, you can get the treatment you need to restore the appearance and function of your smile.
About the Practice
At Berquist Family Dentistry, Dr. Daniel Jordan Berquist and Dr. Robert Jordan Berquist work together to treat patients in the Crown Point area. If you have a broken tooth, they’d be happy to help you out. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (219) 226-0544.
