Broken Tooth Pain
Broken Teeth Treatment Options
A chipped or broken tooth can ruin a trip, a nice smile or a great weekend. When the exposed parts of the tooth are left unprotected, an infection can grow in that area. An infection can cut off the blood supply to the tooth’s nerve and eventually cause it to die. This damage is irreversible.
What happens if the broken tooth is left untreated?
There are treatment options for a broken tooth. Broken teeth can be restored or replaced. A Broken tooth:
- Can’t be re-implanted.
- Can cause airway obstruction and it should be removed from the patient mouth if it can obstruct the airway.
- The friction from a broken tooth may result in ulceration in the mouth.
- When a tooth is broken, blood vessels and nerves might be exposed.
- A broken tooth can be or become very painful—something to be aware of if the patient is unable to speak.
- A broken tooth can become infected and eventually cause inflammation in surrounding tissues.
Left untreated, a broken tooth can disrupt the integrity of the surrounding tissues like the gum, the tongue and mucous membranes. The disruption caused by a broken tooth can establish an environment for infection.
Teeth have a hard outer layer (enamel), making them the strongest and most rigid structures in your body. Despite their strength, a hard impact can lead to broken, chipped, or fractured teeth.
What are the Main Causes of Broken Teeth?
The causes of a broken tooth are innumerable; these mainly occur due to chewing hard substances, poor dental hygiene practices, aging factors, or unconsciously grinding your teeth at night. Children under the age of five are more susceptible to the broken tooth due to their clumsiness.
The following are other causes of broken teeth:
- Facial trauma
- Damage in sporting activities
- Large fillings
- Untreated cavities
Broken teeth can be sharp on your tongue or your cheeks. A broken tooth requires a visit to an emergency dentist.
Dental Treatments Associated with Broken Teeth
Your dentist will assess the nature of the crack to determine the most favourable dental treatment option. Some procedures are invasive, while others are non-invasive. In some instances, removal of the tooth may be the only option.
Dental filling
Dental filling involves the repairing of a broken tooth. The filling restores the damaged part to its standard shape and function, and your dentist can suggest different fillings; silver amalgam, porcelain, silver, mercury, or other metals. The materials vary in terms of colour and strength.
Tooth fillings can last for many years without necessitating refilling if you practice the right dental care tips. Poorly maintained dental fillings will require fillings or warrant extraction of the teeth depending on the crack’s extent.
Bonding
Bonding involves the covering of your tooth with a composite resin, which is coloured. The procedure is less expensive than other types of dental treatments. Typically, it is among the easiest and non-invasive dental procedures.
Anesthesia is not needed, and one visit to the dentist is enough. The dentist first uses liquid or gel to make the affected teeth a bit rough. The second procedure is adding an adhesive material, which is later followed by the coloured resin. To harden the added synthetic material, the dentist applies ultraviolet light.
Dental Crown
Dental crowns in Brisbane are tooth caps placed over broken teeth to conceal the visible cracks. Consequently, the caps help in the restoration of the strength and other physical properties of teeth. Dental experts commonly use porcelain and ceramic caps. The caps are cemented adequately onto the tooth to ensure correct concealing of the affected tooth. Regular dental check-up and clean is essential to retain the beauty of the caps.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are coloured shells that are attached to the front of broken teeth to restore beauty. The primary material used to make the veneers is either porcelain and resin. The process of attaching the veneers is complex and will require intensive procedures.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy, commonly referred to as endodontics therapy, is a prevalent dental treatment method. Dentists will recommend this method if the crack on your tooth extends to the pulp. The invasive method focuses on removing the damaged pulp. The procedure will try to restore the functionality of the teeth. Agreeing to have the procedure done on your teeth decreases your teeth’ probability of weakening due to the crack.
Extraction
If the crack damages the whole structure of the tooth, tooth extraction may be inevitable. Also, if the breakages of the teeth are so severe, restoration of a normal function may be impossible. Finally, if the roots and canals are damaged, the dentist will recommend a tooth extraction. Extraction can be done with or without happy gas (laughing gas). Tooth extraction can also be done under general anaesthesia (sleep dentistry).
Broken Teeth In Adults
A forceful blow during sports or abnormal wear and tear is the primary cause of broken teeth in adults. A crack on the tooth will lead to some chips falling off; you may even mistakenly swallow them. Depending on the intensity of the crack, your tooth will be sharp or disfigured. In severe cases, the gum line affected will be tender and quite painful.
In adults, some factors may make them very susceptible to broken teeth. Some common risk factors include:
- Cavities and tooth decay
- Teeth grinding
- Age-if you are above 50 years, your enamel may become weak, leading to chipped teeth.
- Alcohol consumption or smoking
- Heartburn
- Consuming acidic foods
- Eating sugary foods
The lower molars are very prone to chipping as they are actively involved in the chewing process. Additionally, a tooth that has previously been treated is also susceptible to cracking.
Broken Teeth in Children
The younger generation is the most susceptible to broken teeth. Their clumsiness and tendency to engage in dangerous games increases their likelihood of receiving hard blows on the teeth. According to Brisbane Kids Dentist, Children crawling or learning to walk often stumble and fall on hard surfaces will most likely have chipped teeth.
Despite how cautious you are, chipped children’s teeth are almost inevitable. Some might be minor, while others are so severe, preventing everyday eating habits. Some symptoms of broken primary teeth include:
- Facial pain – chipped teeth may lead to mild or severe pain in the facial region. If your child persistently complains of facial pain, check for any signs of broken teeth.
- Facial swelling – the lips, neck, or jaw may swell due to abscess formation from the broken tooth.
- Mouth bleeding – bleeding maybe as a result of chipped teeth.
- Poor eating habits – a broken tooth is quite uncomfortable, and your kid might struggle to chew food.
- Fever – the broken tooth may lead to infection, which, as a result, is associated with fever.
- A poor sleeping habit – a painful tooth may be so severe that your baby cannot sleep properly.
After you note that your kid has broken teeth, assemble the tooth’s fragments and place them in milk to keep them hydrated. It may be possible to use the fragments to restore the typical structure of the tooth. However, if the damage is so severe and fragments are too distorted, repairing is often impossible. In such a scenario, Brisbane Kids dentist may opt for other dental treatment methods.
What to do Before Seeing a Dentist
According to our paediatric dentist in Brisbane, A small crack line on your tooth might be painless. However, pronounced cracks that affect the nerve endings of the tooth might be quite painful. The affected tooth will be sensitive to changes in temperature, making it painful.
In other instances, the broken teeth may have irregular and sharp edges and will damage your tongue or cheek. Before visiting a dentist, there are numerous home care remedies available to reduce the pain and prevent further damage.
Rinse Your Mouth With Warm Salty Water
Gently swishing your mouth with warm saline water helps in preventing infection on the broken tooth. The water also helps to clear any tooth chips present in the mouth.
Use Ice
If you note any swelling in your facial region, apply ice on the area. The ice helps in minimizing the progression of the welling while reducing the intensity of pain.
Avoid Eating Hard Foods
Eating hard foods weakens the teeth, further leading to more noticeable cracks. Also, avoid eating too hot or too cold foods, especially when the nerves are exposed.
Use Painkillers
Painkillers such as acetaminophen help in the reduction of pain. However, topical medication is not recommended as it can lead to burns on the gum.
How to Prevent Broken Teeth
Wearing Mouthguards
For people involved in fierce sport competition, wearing a mouthguard safeguard their mouth significantly. The device helps in proper cushioning of a blow to the dental region minimizing chances of broken teeth.
The devices are also useful in protecting your teeth from grinding against each other while you are asleep. They are three types of mouthguards available in the market:
- Customized mouthguards
- Boil and bite
- Stock mouthguards
Proper Dental Hygiene
Tooth decay or cavities makes your teeth very vulnerable to cracks and breakages. Most of these dental problems come as a result of poor dental practices. Brushing twice a day and flossing your teeth reduces the chances of having broken teeth.
Avoid Chewing Hard Objects
Opening a bottle using your teeth is very dangerous and subjects your teeth to potential cracks and fractures. Eating pens or unpopped popcorn is also a bad habit that puts your teeth at risk. To safeguard your teeth and that of your kid, discourage any practices of chewing hard objects.
Avoid clenching or Grinding your Teeth
Most people grind or clench their teeth on an occasional basis. The habit may be inborn and almost impossible to eradicate. Using retainers and mouthguards helps to protect your teeth from damage.
Visit your Dentist Regularly
Visiting your dentist helps in the early detection of dental problems before they become severe. Also, dental experts recommend safe dental practices that minimize the likelihood of broken teeth. You should visit your dentist after six months for optimal dental health.
We Restore Broken Teeth
At Pure Dentistry, we have the latest dental technology to offer high-end dental treatment options. Our dentists approach each client with the utmost professionalism and care. We recommend the most appropriate invasive or non-invasive dental approach, depending on the extent of the crack. Book an appointment online, call us or chat with us.