A chipped or broken tooth should be taken care of as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
You are chewing a piece of ice when suddenly you feel an intense pain. You spit out your ice cube and see a piece of your tooth in your hand. What do you do? Chipped or broken teeth is a common problem many people experience. But what are the causes of broken teeth and how can they be repaired? Luckily for you, we have some answers to all of your questions!
Causes of Chipped/Broken Teeth
Teeth are fragile things especially when they are constantly put to the test. There are several things that you may be doing that could chip or break your teeth. One of the biggest reasons is not taking care of your teeth. Brushing will help to get rid of the bacteria that cause tooth decay and cavities in your teeth. By not brushing them, your teeth will decay, get cavities, and need fillings. When your tooth decays it becomes weakened and root canals also weaken your teeth. You can also break your teeth by not having them properly aligned. If you need braces, it is best to do that as soon as possible to avoid stress biting that could crack your teeth or wear them down. If you are clenching or grinding your teeth, you could end up at the dentist. These practices put a lot of pressure on your teeth and could break them. Don’t bite on objects. A lot of people use their teeth as tools, biting tags off clothes or to cut tape. They also chew on things like ice, popcorn kernels, or even tongue piercings. Chewing, biting, or hitting your teeth on these things can land you straight into the dentist chair!
What to Do About Chipped or Broken Teeth?
When you notice a chipped or broken tooth, the first thing you should do is call your Annapolis Dental Care dentist to make an appointment for our emergency service. In the meantime, you should avoid anything that could damage your tooth further or cause it to become infected. If your tooth hurts, take acetaminophen or other over-the-counter pain relievers and rinse your mouth with salt water. If the break is jagged or sharp, you can put a piece of paraffin wax on it in order to protect your tongue, cheeks, and lips. Eat only soft foods and avoid biting down on the broken tooth.
Repairs Using a Filling or Bonding
There are two different kinds of procedures that can be used to repair your chipped or broken tooth. For small chips in the enamel, your dentist will likely repair the piece with a filling. But if the repair can be seen when you smile or is to a front tooth, your dentist will likely use a tooth-colored composite resin in a procedure called bonding. Bonding is a simple procedure that typically does not require numbing the tooth. A dentist will take bonding material to adhere the chip to the tooth. After it is adhered, your dentist will shape the material to look like the surrounding teeth. The bonding material is hardened using an ultraviolet light.
If your tooth is severely broken or structurally unsound, your dentist will use a crown or veneer in order to strengthen the weakened tooth and to hide the broken enamel. For more information on our emergency services or to make a regular appointment with your Annapolis Dental Care dentist, call us today!
Emergency Dental Care with Annapolis Dental Care
If you want to schedule your next visit, please contact Annapolis Family Dental Care by calling (410) 267-0766 or visit AnnapolisDentalCare.com today! We can give you more information, or schedule your appointment. Our diligent knowledge of all dental treatments and extensive experience in all fields of dentistry, ensure Annapolis Dental is best suited to care for your oral health. You can also follow Annapolis Dental Care on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.