What Happens if I Break a Tooth? | Ardas Family Dental

Accidents happen! But what happens when one of those accidents results in cracked or broken teeth?

Let’s take a look at what to do in the event of such a dental emergency:

When Your Tooth Breaks

Even though tooth enamel is the strongest substance in the human body, it’s still possible to easily chip, crack or break teeth by falling, being hit in the mouth, biting down on something too hard or from untreated cavities.

When this happens, whether there’s pain in the affected tooth or not, the most important thing to do is to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible! It is not possible to treat a cracked or broken tooth at home.

Pain Relief

It’s common to experience pain with a cracked or broken tooth. Fortunately, there are ways to relieve pain while waiting to see the dentist.

One effective remedy is taking over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen. Avoid medications that contain aspirin, as they can prevent blood clotting, creating problems during your dental visit. Using an over-the-counter dental anesthetic applied directly to the affected tooth may also provide much-needed relief!

In the event that you can’t take one of these over-the-counter medicines, try gently flossing around the affected tooth or teeth and rinsing with warm salt water. Eliminating the plaque and bacteria from the affected area can reduce pain and reduce the risk of infection!

Dental Intervention

How your dentist will treat the affected tooth depends on the severity.

A tooth with a minor chip may be easily repaired with dental filling. This is a simple procedure in which the dentist will etch the tooth surface, adhere tooth colored resin to it and then shape the material to look like your natural tooth.

A larger break or deep crack may require the application of a dental crown and possibly root canal therapy. These procedures will typically require two dental visits, and can restore a natural-looking and pain-free smile!

Have you broken a tooth? Schedule your appointment with Ardas Family Dental as soon as possible! You can also visit us online to learn more about our restorative dental services.