If you’re in an accident that involves getting hit in the mouth, you could wind up with a broken tooth. This is often a very serious dental emergency that needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible if you want to prevent the situation from growing worse. To help make sure that you’re ready for the worst-case scenario, here’s a closer look at the dangers of a broken tooth and the steps you can take to deal with the situation.
Why is a Broken Tooth Such a Serious Issue?
Even if the damage to your tooth seems relatively minor on the surface, it could still lead to even bigger problems if you ignore it for too long. Broken enamel could potentially expose the pulp of the tooth, leaving it susceptible to attacks from bacteria. Eventually, the pulp could become infected and cause a severe toothache. If the infection isn’t treated in time, it could completely compromise your tooth, forcing you to have it extracted.
What Can You Do About a Broken Tooth?
In the event that your tooth breaks, you should do your best to remain calm so that you can take control of the situation. Then, you should check to see if there are any large pieces of enamel that have broken off. If you find any, be sure to save them; you’ll want to take them with you to your emergency dental visit.
Sometimes a damaged tooth might be accompanied by swelling and soreness. You can manage your discomfort by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen. Additionally, you can hold a cold compress over the area for 15-minute intervals to reduce swelling.
It’s important to keep the area around the tooth clean in order to minimize the chances of infection. Take the time to gently rinse the area around the tooth with warm water.
Once you’ve done what you can to manage the problem, you should call your dentist and schedule an appointment. It’s essential to have a trained dental professional examine your tooth as quickly as possible so that they can determine the extent of the damage and the best option for addressing it.
How Can a Broken Tooth Be Treated?
If your tooth is only slightly chipped, it may be possible to repair it with dental bonding, which involves covering the damaged parts of the enamel with natural-looking composite resin. On the other hand, a badly cracked tooth often needs to be restored with a dental crown that completely covers the dental structure and protects it from further harm. Other procedures may be recommended depending on the situation.
In short, a broken tooth is an alarming dental issue, but it’s one that can be dealt with as long as you keep a cool head, follow the right steps, and get the care you need as promptly as possible.
About the Practice
At Fort Dental, our dentists have more than four decades of combined experience when it comes to helping patients take care of their smiles. We utilize the latest technology to provide a full menu of high-quality dental services. We gladly offer same-day appointments for patients who are suffering from urgent dental emergencies. If you need treatment for a damaged tooth, you can request an appointment at our Fort Worth dental practice by calling (817) 292-5957.