Although human teeth are very strong, in certain situations they can break, chip or even fracture deeply. In these cases, severe pain is felt, while the tooth is exposed to infection and further damage. If you think you have a broken tooth, it is very important that you see your dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, there are some remedies you can use to help you find pain relief and prevent your tooth from getting worse.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Identifying a Broken Tooth
Step 1. Look out for severe pain immediately after a bump or after chewing on something hard
If the tooth fracture is severe enough, you will likely experience a lot of pain after the injury. If so, inspect the affected tooth to see if any fragments are missing; if so, you have a chipped tooth.
Remember that you may still have a splinter in your mouth and it could cut you if you swallow it. For this reason, try to spit it out and keep it
Step 2. Notice if you experience inconsistent pain in the affected tooth region
If the fracture isn't severe, you may not even feel immediate discomfort. You are more likely to feel dull pain intermittently. The tooth often hurts when chewing or eating very hot or very cold foods. If you try all this, you should try to understand what happened.
Step 3. Check the tooth for obvious damage or fractures
If you suspect that one of your teeth has chipped, then a simple visual inspection should confirm it. Look for missing pieces or obvious cracks.
You can also feel the chip if you can't see deep into the mouth. Try gently rubbing your tongue on your teeth. If you encounter a rough or sharp area, it means there is a break
Step 4. Assess for swollen or inflamed areas around the affected tooth
If you are having trouble finding the fracture, you can inspect the gums. The mucous membranes surrounding a fractured tooth are usually swollen and red; therefore, look for this type of symptom to locate the affected tooth.
Step 5. Make an appointment with your dentist
You must go to the doctor as soon as possible, regardless of whether you know for certain that the tooth is chipped or that you have generalized pain, but you do not pinpoint its origin. Chipped teeth can be treated, but prompt intervention by a dentist is important to avoid worsening the situation. In the meantime, there are several remedies and solutions to protect the mouth and relieve discomfort.
Part 2 of 4: Treat the Injury Up to the Time of the Dental Visit
Step 1. Save the tooth splinter, if you have it
In some cases, the dentist can reattach the broken portion, so it's always worth keeping. Put it in a container with milk or saliva to prevent it from rotting. Later, take it with you when you go to your dentist appointment.
You should never attempt to reattach the tooth portion yourself. Not only are you unable to do this without the correct instrumentation, but you could cause intense pain if you touch the exposed nerve
Step 2. Rinse your mouth with a saline solution
The mouth is full of bacteria and a lesion is easily infected. To prevent this from happening, rinse with water and salt as soon as you realize you have a chipped tooth.
- Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in 240ml of water.
- Wash your mouth with the solution for 30-60 seconds focusing on the injured area.
- Do not swallow the mixture.
- Repeat this procedure after meals.
Step 3. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
If the tooth is in poor condition, the pain can be very intense. You can manage this with free-to-use painkillers until you can go to the dentist and fix the problem.
Ibuprofen (Moment, Brufen) is generally to be preferred over paracetamol (Tachipirina), because it also has an anti-inflammatory and not only pain-relieving action. However, if you don't have this medicine, acetaminophen is fine too
Step 4. Protect the sharp edges with dental wax
Sometimes the chipped area has serrated edges that can cut through the tongue and mucous membranes. To prevent this from happening, coat it with dental wax, which you can buy at the pharmacy in the oral care products industry.
Alternatively, you can cover the tooth with sugar-free chewing gum
Step 5. Be very careful when eating until you can go to the dentist
Your doctor may not be able to give you an appointment quickly after the tooth has chipped. In the meantime, of course, you will have to feed yourself; So follow these tips to limit pain and avoid further damage during meals.
- Consume only soft foods. The fractured tooth is very delicate and susceptible to further damage. Hard foods can make the situation worse and cause pain. Eat something soft, like pudding or oatmeal, until your dentist can intervene.
- Don't eat anything that is too hot or cold. The injured tooth is very sensitive to extreme temperatures and very cold or very hot food could trigger pangs of pain. Consume foods at room temperature to avoid any problems.
- Try to eat on the healthy side of your mouth. Each chewing movement causes pain and could cause other injuries, so avoid eating on the affected side.
Part 3 of 4: Knowing the Possible Solutions
Step 1. Get your tooth filed
If the break or chip is minor, the dentist may choose to reshape the tooth by filing and polishing it. In this way it will be smoother and will not generate cuts or abrasions to the mucous membranes of the mouth. It is a simple, not very painful procedure, which takes place in just one session.
Step 2. Have a filling
If the accident has left an opening on the crown of the tooth, the dentist will consider filling it as if it were caries. In that case, he will use a specific material, such as silver amalgam or a resin, to close the cavity. The filling prevents foreign bodies from getting stuck in the opening and making it bigger.
Step 3. Have a crown applied to the tooth
If the break is large enough, it is likely that it will be fixed with a crown. It is a metal or ceramic "cap" that has the same strength and appearance as a natural tooth.
Step 4. Evaluate devitalization
When the tooth is in poor condition and the pulp or nerve is exposed, a root canal is needed to save it. The dentist will thoroughly clean and disinfect the injured tooth to avoid infection and hopefully extraction as well.
If you have to undergo this procedure, your dentist may eventually also consider inserting a capsule to protect the tooth
Step 5. Get the tooth extracted
If it is severely fractured, it must be removed. This is usually the case when the crack extends below the gum line and cannot be repaired. To relieve pain and prevent serious infections, the best thing to do is extraction.
Once the damaged tooth has been removed, the dentist will offer you alternatives to replace it
Part 4 of 4: Preventing Dental Fractures
Step 1. Avoid chewing on hard objects
Many people have a habit of nibbling on pen or ice. Despite the fact that the teeth are very strong, these actions spoil them. If you keep biting on hard items, you could weaken your teeth to the point of causing fractures. Avoid this from happening by losing this habit.
Step 2. Don't grind your teeth
This behavior, called bruxism, leads to continuously and forcefully closing the dental arches. Typically, it is an unconscious attitude that happens during sleep. However, over time the enamel weakens and exposes the tooth to fractures.
Since it is an unconscious habit that occurs in sleep, it is not easy to lose. There are special bites designed specifically to protect teeth from nocturnal bruxism. If you grind your teeth, discuss such devices with your dentist
Step 3. Wear a mouthguard when playing sports
Sometimes the teeth break or come out of their place following a bump. If you play a contact sport, such as football, or one where there is a possibility of being hit in the face by a hard object (such as baseball), you should wear a mouthguard to avoid damaging them.
- Do several searches online to find the type of mouthguard that fits your needs.
- If you are having trouble finding the best solution, ask your dentist for advice.
Step 4. Take care of your teeth
Poor oral hygiene weakens your teeth and makes them more prone to damage. Thankfully, you are in control of oral health. You can protect it from tooth decay and fractures by keeping your mouth clean and visiting your dentist regularly for routine checkups.
- Read this article to learn about the correct tooth brushing technique.
- Remember to floss after brushing your teeth to get rid of any plaque and food debris that get stuck.
- Visit your dentist regularly, usually every six months, for a thorough checkup and cleaning.
Advice
- If you've lost a tooth in a bump, put it in milk and go to the dentist or emergency room immediately. The first hour is crucial to having a better chance of repairing the tooth.
- You can't treat a fractured tooth at home. You should go to the dentist any time you experience sensitivity from eating or from sudden changes in temperature. Constant pain is a warning sign, the fracture may have damaged the nerve and living tooth tissue.
