Tooth breakage is a traumatizing situation, but a quick visit to the dentist for emergency dentistry treatment can help restore the tooth and prevent complications. A tooth can break due to a hard blow to the mouth, a fall, biting on hard substances or dental issues such as damaged fillings or severe tooth decay. Regardless of the cause, a visit to the dentist is required immediately or as soon as possible.
Events surrounding a broken tooth
A broken tooth can simply be a chip off the hard enamel layer or a total breakage of the tooth that exposes the dentin and pulp. Since the enamel has no nerve or blood vessels, mere enamel loss should not be painful. However, if the dentin or pulp are exposed, it could cause pain. The exposed pulp is also vulnerable to bacterial infection, which may cause more pain, tooth discoloration and teeth sensitivity. Even if the dentin or pulp is not exposed, one might still experience pain from the injury that led to the tooth breakage.
Emergency dentistry guidelines
Due to restricted movement during the COVID-19 lockdown, an immediate appointment with the dentist for emergency dentistry treatment may not be feasible. Emergency treatment at home can improve the chances of saving the tooth. The following are steps to take after breaking a tooth:
- Collect the broken pieces and store them in a clean, dry case for the dental appointment
- Clean the affected tooth with warm water
- If the breakage was due to an injury, placing a cold compress over the area and relieve swelling
- Contact the dentist immediately for an appointment
- Avoid eating hard foods, and cover the broken tooth with chewing gum or dental wax to prevent the sharp edges from hurting the soft tissues of the mouth
In some cases, an injury to the mouth may result in more than a broken tooth. A severe blow to the face can break the jaw. If it is difficult to realign the upper and lower teeth with the mouth closed, a visit to the dentist is critical.
Dental treatment for broken teeth
The method of repairing a broken tooth depends on the severity of the damage. If the dental pulp is infected by bacteria, it will die eventually. The pulp must be cleaned out and replaced with fillings in the root canal procedure. The dentist will wait to see if the pulp is infected first; they might place a temporary crown on the broken tooth. If there is no infection, but a large chip is lost, a crown can restore the tooth’s appearance.
Usually, the tooth can be repaired when only a small portion is lost. The dentist can use composite bonding to rebuild a broken tooth. After the repair process, the tooth will be good as new. The dentist will also provide guidelines on how to protect the teeth from damages.
In conclusion
Accidents are bound to happen, despite precautionary measures. You need to contact the dentist immediately if you have a broken tooth during the COVID-19 lockdown. They will provide emergency dentistry guidelines detailing what to do before you have access to dental care.
Request an appointment here: https://www.adchutto.com or call Advanced Dental Care of Hutto at (512) 846-2011 for an appointment in our Hutto office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Call our Hutto office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.
Call our Hutto office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.
