August 10, 2024
Breaking a tooth is more than painful—it can affect the way you eat and speak, and leave a dent in your personal confidence. Luckily, there are restorative measures that can help you restore your smile—if you act promptly and reach an emergency dentist in Montgomery, AL, that is.
Failure to get prompt emergency treatment reduces the chances of restoring your broken tooth and may even leave no other option than extracting it. To prevent that and give you some tools on how to manage the discomfort, here are some pointers.
What Happens When a Tooth Breaks?
A broken tooth may have a chip in the outer layer of hard enamel, or it may break completely, exposing the pulp and dentin. Tooth enamel has no blood vessels or nerves, so the first event probably won’t cause any pain. The second one, however, can be painful.
The dentin or pulp of the tooth has nerves, causing discomfort when exposed to the air. Additionally, leaving it so increases the chances of a bacterial infection, causing more pain and increasing sensitivity to temperature changes.
Whether or not the dentin or pulp is visible, pain from the trauma that fractured the tooth may also be present.
What Should I Do When I Break a Tooth?
If you break a tooth, don’t panic, and focus on beginning with first aid measures. Try to gather all the broken pieces of your tooth and place them in a clean, dry container for transport to the dentist.
Then, rinse your mouth with warm water to remove any blood, dirt, or debris. Apply a cold compress to the affected area if the tooth is broken in order to help reduce swelling.
Acetaminophen or another over-the-counter pain reliever can be taken if the tooth hurts. Additionally, to prevent cuts to your tongue, the inside of your lip, or your cheek, tape off any sharp or jagged edges with a piece of tooth wax.
Eat soft foods and refrain from biting down on the broken tooth if you must.
Then, call us right away to arrange an appointment—especially if you can see yellow dentin or red, exposed pulp. If that’s your case, avoid eating and don’t cover it with wax.
Treating a Broken Tooth
The degree of damage to a broken or chipped tooth will determine how it is treated. If you have only chipped off a tiny portion of your tooth enamel, we can use a filling to fix any damage.
If a large piece of tooth breaks off, we may suggest a crown. This tooth-shaped cap is designed to protect a weakened tooth, be it due to decay or trauma, and improve its appearance.
Moreover, if you were able to retrieve the broken pieces and you reach out to our dental office shortly after, we can bond them to the broken tooth, so reach out to the dental office as soon as possible!
Reach Out to an Emergency Dentist in Montgomery, AL
If you’re dedicated to maintaining good oral hygiene and ensuring your oral health, nothing can be as frustrating as suddenly breaking one due to an accident. Luckily, by reaching Woodmere Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, you can reduce the damage and recover your teeth’s shape.
Contact us, and let us restore your smile!