Broken Tooth
What to do if you Have a Broken Tooth
If you have a broken tooth, or a fractured tooth you should contact your dentist as soon as you can. It might take some time to get in to see your dentist unless it is deemed a dental emergency. There are a few things to do before you get into his office, including:
- Rinsing your mouth out with warm salty water
- For pain, take an over the counter pain reliever
- Cover a jagged tooth with sugar-free gum or a piece of paraffin wax so it won’t cut your mouth or tongue
- Eat only soft foods and try not to use the broken tooth when chewing
A Broken Tooth that is A Minor Fracture
If your broken tooth is a minor fracture, it might just need a simple, basic repair or filling. If it is a front tooth, the dentist will use a composite resin about the same color as your other teeth to repair it. This is called, bonding, and is a simple procedure. It’s as simple as the dentist roughening the tooth’s surface so it will adhere to the adhesive, and then shaping the bonding material so it looks natural. Then the material will be hardened using a special ultraviolet light.
Other Treatment Options for a Broken Tooth
It is important to discuss a broken tooth with your dentist to find out what type of treatment he suggests. He may recommend a crown, a root canal, an implant, or a veneer. He will make his suggestions based on the extent of the damage of the broken tooth.
Preventing Broken Teeth
There are some ways to help prevent breaking a tooth to begin with. This includes not chewing on very hard objects, protecting teeth with a mouthguard during sports and not grinding your teeth.
