What to Do if You've Cracked or Broken a Tooth
Teeth are made to withstand constant pressure in order to be effective eating tools, but they're not immune to damage. If you've bitten into something and realized that your tooth has cracked, you will need to visit a dentist as soon as possible. If that's not immediately possible, however, you should follow these steps to protect your tooth from further damage until you can get to the dentist's office.
Collect Any Remnants
The first step you should take is to remove and save any chunks or slivers of tooth that have broken off in your mouth. While accidentially consuming small amounts of tooth won't harm your stomach, it's better to save it to show the dentist. Doing so can help your dentist to understand how the tooth was fractured and where the weakness originated from.
In some cases, teeth break just from excessive strain or pressure. However, it's also possible that your tooth was previously damaged or was experiencing internal damage that caused it to break in the first place. Saving your chunks of tooth will help aid your dentist in diagnosing the basic problem.
Seal Area With Dental Cement
If your tooth has broken, that means that the vulnerable interior parts of your tooth are now accessible. This means that food debris, bacteria, and any other invading body can potentially make it into the root or pulp of your tooth. As a result, it's important to do what you can to protect your tooth until you see your dentist.
To do this, you should purchase some temporary dental cement. This product can be found in nearly any dental aisle of any grocery or general store. The product will have directions on how it's applied and how much time is required to dry. However, you should focus on gently rinsing the area of your mouth with warm water (avoid hot or cold to prevent nerve pain) and then applying the dental cement to the exposed areas of your tooth.
Visit Dentist
Dental cement is only a temporary fix designed to help prevent further damage to your tooth. You must visit a dentist to have the tooth cleaned, repaired, and a dental crown placed on top of it.
If you succeed in seeing a dentist quickly, they will most likely be able to repair the damage and protect your tooth from further harm. However, failing to do so increases your risk of developing an infection in your tooth or losing the tooth entirely. Don't delay this step any longer than you have to.
Broken teeth are a hassle and a pain, but with these steps, you can protect your oral health until you make it to the dentist's office. For more information, contact a business such as Four Corners Dental Group.