Breaking a tooth can be both unexpected and painful! The good news is that by acting quickly, you can get the treatment you need to restore the appearance and function of your tooth as well as relieving your discomfort. If you haven’t been here before, you may not know the next steps to take, so we’re here to help. Continue reading to learn more about broken teeth, how you should handle them, and which treatment options 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 can be used as directed.
- If your 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 cosmetic 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 eliminate infection.
For more 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, your dentist will discuss tooth replacement options with you.
Broken teeth can be alarming, but by using the steps above, you can get the care that you need to restore your smile!
About the Author
Dr. Sarah Esparza earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Maryland Dental School before serving in the US Air Force as a general dentist for 7 years. If you have a broken tooth, she’d be happy to take a look. She even offers same-day emergency visits so you can be seen right away. To learn more about emergency dentistry or to schedule an appointment, visit her website or call (757) 499-4707.