What to Do with a Broken Tooth? Causes and Treatment

Contents hide

3 How Do You Know If Your Tooth Is Broken?

A broken or cracked tooth requires emergency dental care because breaks in the surface of your teeth can allow bacteria to access the pulp of your teeth. If you can’t get to an emergency dentist immediately, we have prepared some tips to help you with what to do with a broken tooth in order to minimise damage and trauma.

What Causes A Broken Tooth?

There are a number of contributing causes that can result in a broken tooth, some of which are within your control and some which are not:

A fall or trauma to the mouth
Biting or chewing on hard food
Using your teeth as a tool to open a bottle or can
A weakened tooth caused by restorations or old fillings
An extreme difference in temperature exposure
Pressure on a tooth that has had a root canal treatment.

What To Do With A Broken Tooth?

If you have cracked or broken your tooth, there are a few different things you can try, until you are able to get to your emergency dentist, such as

Not chewing on the side of your mouth where the damaged tooth is
Taking over the counter medication for pain and sensitivity management
Keeping your mouth clean by rinsing with a warm saltwater solution
Avoiding very hot and cold beverages
Manage any bleeding with pressure

In the event that there is excessive bleeding, a fever, headache or chills and you cannot reach your dentist, please go to your nearest clinic for help.

How Do You Know If Your Tooth Is Broken?

If you have not experienced trauma or obvious incident, you may experience tooth sensitivity when biting down or when drinking hot or cold beverages. Even if it is not visible to the naked eye, it is possible for microscopic fractures to occur on the tooth surface. As small as it might be, it can still cause irritation and discomfort inside your tooth if the tooth pulp is affected.

What Treatments Are Available For Cracked Or Broken Teeth?

The treatment your emergency dentist chooses will depend on the extent and position of the damage. It may be possible to use dental veneers if the break is on the front teeth. If a crack or break appears on the back teeth, a dental filling may be the most appropriate treatment. However, if the break is significant, you may need a dental crown to restore the tooth to full bite function.

In the event that your tooth pulp has become infected, you may need to have a root canal treatment and a dental crown. If your tooth is badly damaged and cannot be saved, you may need to consider a dental implant and dental crown for tooth replacement.

Because the repercussions of a broken or cracked tooth could result in tooth loss, it’s essential that you seek emergency dental care as soon as possible.

If you have a dental emergency and need step by step assistance with what to do with a broken tooth, please contact our practice immediately: (02) 8806 0578.