Teeth are built to last a lifetime, but it is not always the case. If you are not intentional with dental care, you may suffer substantial oral damage throughout your life. Some oral problems that affect your teeth structures are chipping, cracking, and breaking.
What Breaks Natural Teeth?
Teeth can break differently and for different causes. The common factors that break natural teeth are:
Bruxism – is also called excessive teeth grinding. It is a dental problem affecting many people when they sleep.
Dental injury or accident – oral trauma is a big reason for broken teeth.
Chewing or biting hard foods – if you have an inclination or preference for hard foods, you may risk damaging your teeth. Foods like popcorn kernels, ice cubes, sugar cane, or hard nuts can break your teeth.
Weak teeth enamel – weakened teeth structures are susceptible to breakage. Your teeth may weaken due to age, genetics, or consuming too many acidic foods.
Poor oral hygiene – results in plaque and tartar buildup that cause dental cavities and gum disease. If your teeth do not break due to dental cavities, they may fall off due to advanced periodontal disease.
How Do Dentists Fix a Chipped Tooth?
Emergency dentists at Family Dental Care – Crestwood prioritize dental protocols for saving natural teeth where possible. Therefore, if you have a chipped or broken tooth, the first line of treatment would be to treat it instead of tooth extraction. Some of the ways a dentist can fix a broken tooth are:
Root canal therapy – is an endodontic procedure that repairs a tooth from the inside. The dentist will remove the damaged portion of the tooth cavity, then fill and crown it to restore its external structure.
Dental filling – a tooth filling is a perfect solution for chipped and broken teeth. A dentist will use a filling material to replace the damaged portion of the root, preventing the entry of bacteria into the internal layers.
How Minor Chips Are Repaired?
Minor chips on your teeth structures may not require drastic restorative measures. For the most part, you only need a dental solution that will restore the tooth’s aesthetics.
Composite bonding – is a dental procedure for repairing the aesthetics of a tooth. Composite resin can contour a chipped or broken tooth, making it good as new.
Dental veneers – are alternative oral appliances in cosmetic dentistry that restore tooth structures, specifically from the front side. This treatment option would be suitable if your broken tooth is not painful or causing underlying dental issues other than aesthetic concerns.
Quick At-Home Treatments for Broken or Knocked-Out Teeth
When you notice that you have a broken or knocked-out tooth, find a way to calm down. Only when you are calm can you treat your oral health with the seriousness it deserves. Some of the things you should do are:
Collect teeth or teeth fragments – make sure you locate the entire tooth or portions of it that have fallen out of your mouth.
Re-insert or store teeth – if you are bold enough for this kind of step, try to restore the tooth in its socket. Be gentle so you do not expose yourself to too much pain. Further, do not try to force the tooth in place. If you cannot re-insert it, store it well. Soak it in milk until you can visit a dentist.
Treat symptoms – admit that you cannot treat the root cause of the pain if you are not a dental expert. Instead, focus on treating your symptoms. Some of the symptoms you are likely to be experiencing are:
Severe tooth pain – take pain medication to manage the discomfort.
Swelling – cold compress with ice is one of the best ways to manage swelling at home. It will constrict the blood vessels in your mouth and reduce the pain.
Bleeding – use a clean washcloth or gauze to regulate the bleeding from the wound. Bite down on the cloth for about 30 minutes and replace it as necessary.
Get help – ultimately, you need the assistance of an emergency dentist in Crestwood to treat your tooth. If you cannot easily locate an emergency dental clinic, find one online and contact a dental expert immediately.
