Dental emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. Here our Calgary dentists guide you through the steps to take for a cracked, chipped or broken tooth.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Typically, a chipped tooth isn’t serious however, in some case the damage can be deeper than it appears.
In cases where the chip is deeper than just the tooth’s enamel there is a risk of infection which can be painful and possibly even lead to tooth loss.
If you have a chipped tooth book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
If the chip is small, your dentist may be able to fix it with a filling.
For more serious breaks, if you are able to save the piece of tooth which has broken off your dentist may be able to reattach it.
In some cases a root canal or a crown may be required.
Cracked Tooth
Signs that you may have a cracked tooth include sharp pain upon biting down, intermittent tooth pain, or sensitivity to temperature. However, it is possible to have a cracked tooth and experience no symptoms at all.
When a tooth is cracked there is a split or crack that begins at the crown extends down into the tooth.
Contact your dentist to book an appointment as soon as possible if you believe that your tooth may be cracked.
How your dentist treats your cracked tooth will depend on the severity of the crack, and the type of cracked tooth that you have.
In many cases your dentist will be able to repair your tooth with a filling, dental bonding, or a dental crown. However, in very severe cases, a root canal or even an extraction may be required.
What to do if you have a chipped, broken or cracked tooth:
If you have a chipped, broken or cracked tooth it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible. Damage to teeth cannot be repaired at home.
That said, there are some steps you can take at home to reduce your risk of complications, and relieve pain.- To relieve pain and help prevent infection rinse your mouth out with warm salt water.
- If your mouth is bleeding, apply pressure to the area with clean gauze.
- Swelling can be reducing by icing the area of your face where the chipped tooth is.
- Prevent the sharp edges of a chipped tooth from irritating your tongue or inner cheek, place sugarless gum or dental wax over the chip to act as a soft buffer.
- To help relieve pain or discomfort, try taking an over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen.
- It’s a good idea to only consume only liquids and soft foods until you can see your dentist.