Help!!!! I broke my tooth. What to do and what not to do.
Breaking a tooth can be your worst nightmare. However, if you do break your tooth, don’t panic! Follow a few of our recommendations below to save yourself from pain, irritation and further damage.
This article will give you a good sense about what to do and what not to do when you break a tooth. We hope you enjoy it.
What to do?
1. Rinse your mouth with warm water.
This should be your first step if you break a tooth. A quick rinse with warm water will give you much-needed relief in addition to helping and keeping your mouth clean.
2. Try to control the bleeding
If you break a tooth and begin bleeding It is important to control the bleeding . You can apply pressure to the concerned gum to stop bleeding. Do this with a hygienic and clean piece of cloth.
3. Apply something cold to the gums
The broken tooth can cause swelling in the gums. Hence, you should apply something cold, like an ice-pack, and gently put some pressure on it. This will help reduce the swelling.
4. Take an over the counter pain reliever
If the pain caused due to the broken tooth is extreme, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever for some quick relief.
5. Book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible
While the above suggestions will provide you with temporary relief, it doesn’t mean that you can skip your dental visit. That’s a big no-no!
Depending on the severity and exposure of the problem, your dentist will suggest the recommended course of action. Talk to your dentist, make an appointment and discuss all the possible available treatment options.
What not to do?
It is best that you avoid solid food as it can cause pain while you try to chew. It is also advisable to refrain from drinking extremely hot or cold beverages, or consuming excessive sugary items. All these can lead to an unpleasant sensation over the affected area.
You should stick to soft foods till your broken tooth has been healed. Also, chew from the opposite side of your mouth while eating.
No one can argue the power of the internet, especially for information. But do not substitute your google search for the years of knowledge that your dentist can provide to you when you experience a broken or cracked tooth.
Can a cracked tooth be saved?
You might be able to save your cracked tooth by seeing your dentist right away. Once the proper treatment has been completed, you can expect the tooth to function properly. Treatment may be as simple as a filling or in more severe injuries a crown.
What causes a broken tooth?
While aging may result in a broken or cracked tooth, there are several other factors, which are not age-related. Below are a few examples:
- Intense pressure from teeth grinding. Some common reasons for teeth grinding in adults include stress, anxiety, and anger.
- Previous dental work, such as large fillings often weaken teeth resulting in a broken tooth.
- Chewing and biting extremely hard food items like nuts or candy.
- A sudden blow to the mouth, for instance, an accident, injuries due to sports, or a fall. A sudden blow to the mouth, for instance, an accident, injuries due to sports, or a fall.
- Sudden temperature changes have an effect on teeth which can lead to teeth breaking. For instance, immediately drinking ice cold water to get relief from that piping hot pizza slice in your mouth.
To summarize, teeth are an amazing part of the human body. They are strong and provide a vital function in the digestive process, not to mention, they make us look good when we smile. But as we say in dentistry, “spit happens” and the human body, as awesome a machine as it is, can break down. When a tooth breaks down, please use the information provided in this post to treat the problem as soon as possible.