Ask a Dentist: What Do You Do with a Broken Tooth?
Whether you bite down on something hard and broke your tooth, your tooth was weakened by a cavity and eventually broke, or you were injured in a sporting event, now that your tooth is broken you have a few things to keep in mind. Your steps initially after the tooth is broken could make the difference between keeping your natural tooth or getting a dental implant.
You should know that millions of people break their teeth every year. At California Dental Group we see it all the time – so you are definitely not alone. That said, you do still need to take action immediately.
First: What exactly is a broken tooth?
You may wonder if your chipped tooth counts as a broken tooth, or how much of your tooth has to have broken before it can be considered a broken tooth. At California Dental Group we consider a broken tooth any tooth that’s been significantly cracked, chipped, has broken apart, or has been knocked out of our patient’s mouth.
Depending on the specifics of the break, you may not feel the tooth brook but it’s generally pretty easy to tell that it’s been broken. However, there is one exception: Hairline cracks. These are often not visible to the naked eye. The first sign is generally a sudden sensitivity to hot or cold. If you’ve noticed these, then it’s time to contact California Dental Group for your dental exam.
How to handle a broken tooth
As soon as you realize that your tooth has broken, make an appoint to have your tooth looked at. Even a very small fracture can allow bacteria to infect your tooth, which could lead to losing the tooth entirely. You can manage the pain with any over-the-counter medication or use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Wash your mouth out with warm salt water after each meal until you are able to get to our offices.
Treatment options for broken teeth
The way we’ll treat your broken tooth will depend on several factors, including how the tooth broke and how significant the damage is. For example, if you’re dealing with a minor fracture then we may use bonding to repair it. On the other end of the spectrum, a break that left the pulp of your tooth exposed might lead to a root canal or extracting the tooth altogether.
No matter what your situation is, the best thing you can do is call California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161. We can take a look at your tooth and let you know what you’re dealing with. We’ll then present treatment options, along with our opinion, and you can make an informed decision about how to proceed. While you may not know what the best treatment is today, there is one thing that’s certain: Visiting a dentist is the right way to handle a broken tooth.
