What to do When You Have a Broken or Cracked Tooth

Posted on by : Sheri Garrett Tags:

It can be quite painful to have a broken or cracked tooth. This can be due to sudden trauma or gradual wearing of the tooth. It is important that you look for prompt dental care if you experience this.

First of all,

You need to assess how much damage has been done to the tooth. For example, if you have taken a fall and suspect that your tooth is cracked or broken, you can check this closely in a mirror. Sometimes there can be missing pieces or visible chips or cracks on the tooth. In some cases, the tooth may have become loose. There can also be a lot of pain. You need to contact the dentist Cleveland so that you can obtain professional dental assistance. There are a few things you should avoid immediately when you have an affected tooth so that the damage can be limited. You should not be chewing on that side of the mouth. Also, it is best to stick to soft food so that you don’t have to chew a lot.

Chewing can aggravate

The injury and you should avoid biting down on any hard objects such as ice cubes. You may experience some pain and discomfort and for this, you can get some over-the-counter pain relievers until your dental appointment. This can also reduce inflammation around the affected tooth. You need to check the instructions for dosage. If there is bleeding at the site, it is best to avoid aspirin. You can cleanse the area around the cracked or broken tooth by rinsing it with warm saltwater. This will give you some relief from the pain and swelling for a short time. You can pour some warm water in a glass and mix about a teaspoon of salt. Make sure to swish this salt solution in your mouth for about 30 seconds before you spit it out. This can be done several times a day in order to maintain your oral hygiene and improve healing.

If there is bruising or swelling around the tooth,

You can use a cold compress as this can help reduce inflammation. Applying a cold compress will also help numb the affected area so that you can get some relief from the pain. You can wrap a cold pack or a bag of ice in a thin towel and keep it pressed against your cheek for about 15 minutes. You should never apply ice directly to the skin. You need to contact your dentist as soon as possible and let the clinic know about your situation so that your case can be prioritised. You can also look for a dental clinic that provides emergency services. During the dental visit, the extent of the damage can be assessed and the dentist will come up with an appropriate treatment plan. If a part of your teeth has broken off, you have to preserve the fragments. They can be rinsed gently with water and you can keep them in a container filled with saliva or milk so that they can be kept moist. You can take them to the dental appointment just in case it can be restored.

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