Breaking a tooth can be a pretty scary experience and can cause pain. In most cases, you can wait a day or two to see a dentist. But sometimes, it’s urgent that you need to seek treatment from an emergency dentist, such as this emergency dentist Pasadena TX, area.
When Is Broken Tooth an Emergency?
If your tooth is severely cracked or broken, you may need to see an emergency dentist immediately. The longer you wait, the greater the chance bacteria will enter the tooth and cause an infection.
Here are other reasons to seek treatment right away after breaking your tooth:
- If you have a fever or pus coming from the tooth.
- If the tooth is sharp and causing pain.
- If the tooth is protruding from your gum line.
- If you have severe bleeding that won’t stop.
What to Do if You Can’t See a Dentist Right Away
If you can’t see a dentist immediately, there are some things you can do to lessen the pain and protect your tooth.
- Take over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen, to help with the pain.
- Use ice packs on your cheeks where the tooth is broken to reduce swelling.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clean the area and help with the pain. Cold water can cause pain, especially if your tooth root is exposed.
- Avoid eating hard foods or anything that may irritate the tooth further.
- Gently brush your teeth taking care not to irritate the broken tooth.
- Place a piece of sugar-free gum over the tooth to help keep it in place while you wait to see a dentist. Visit this website to know more about dental services you might need.
Can Dental Implants Be Broken?
Dental implants are mostly made of titanium, which is a very strong metal. However, they can still be broken if they are hit with enough force.
If you have a broken dental implant, it can either need to be replaced or repaired by your dentist. Repairing a dental implant is not easy and may not be possible in all cases.
If your dentist recommends replacement, you must go through the same procedure as you did when you first got the dental implants. This includes placing the implant in your jawbone and waiting for it to heal before attaching the artificial tooth. See now how dental implant procedure works by visiting this page.
How to Avoid Breaking a Tooth
The following are some ways to avoid breaking your tooth:
- Wear a mouthguard when playing sports to avoid getting hit in the mouth.
- Avoid hard foods that can crack your tooth, such as ice.
- Don’t use your teeth to open packages or bottles.
- Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth at night.
- If you have a habit of clenching your jaw, work on relaxing it during the day and at night.
- Be careful when chewing on hard candy or nuts.
- See your dentist regularly for checkups and cleaning so they can catch any problem areas before they become serious.
Final Thoughts
If you accidentally break a tooth, it’s important to seek treatment right away, especially if your tooth root is exposed. If the damage is minor and you can’t see a dentist right away, there are some measures you can follow to reduce the pain and protect your tooth. Ultimately, avoid breaking your tooth in the first place by avoiding chewing hard foods, using a mouthguard when playing sports, and seeing your dentist regularly for checkups.
