Do You Have Broken Teeth?

15 June 2017
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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If you have broken teeth, you shouldn't let them go any longer than possible or it can have serious repercussions. When a tooth is chipped or broken, it means the enamel is damaged and the enamel is your tooth's first line of defense against problems like cavities and decay. Once there is a problem with the enamel, it leaves you at an increased risk of these types of problems. Here are some things you should know about broken teeth.

A broken tooth can often be avoided

Most of the time, you can avoid breaking a tooth simply by making sure you take the proper steps to protect them. Wear protective guards when involved in sports, don't open bottles with your teeth, and don't involve yourself in other risky behavior. Do what you can to strengthen your teeth by eating foods rich in calcium and taking your vitamins.

A broken tooth can injure the inside of your mouth

If you have a chip or break in your tooth, then the tooth isn't the only thing you will need to worry about. More than likely, there will be sharp points or edges to the tooth that can cut your lip, cheek, or tongue. You can go to your local pharmacy and purchase an orthodontic wax meant to go on braces. Ball a bit up in your fingers and put it over the broken piece of tooth to protect your mouth until you can get to the dentist. The wax will cover the sharp points and help prevent cuts and abrasions.

There are a number of things that can be done to fix a broken tooth

The course of treatment your dentist chooses to fix your broken tooth with will depend on how bad it is, how much money you can put toward treatment, and other factors. However, some examples of the different possibilities include a bridge, crown, porcelain veneer, or even a simple filling in some cases.

You want to treat the broken tooth as quickly as possible

You don't want to wait on having a broken tooth fixed. If you do, you could end up experiencing unnecessary pain, an increased chance of ending up with a tooth infection, possible gum disease, and other issues. As soon as you know you have a damaged tooth, you want to make the call to get in for an appointment. If you have suffered a very bad break and it's after hours, then the best thing that you can do is go to an emergency dentist.

For more information, contact practices like Kyle J Frisinger DMD.