What To Do When You Have A Cracked Or Chipped Tooth

Damaged teeth are painful and can cause extreme discomfort if not treated on time. If you have hurt yourself and have a chip, crack, or broken tooth, you must know what to do next. The more damage there is, the more expensive it will be.

Even if it is a small chip, you must visit your dentist and get your checkup. You can do first aid to relieve pain and protect yourself from further damage. Sometimes, teeth get injured further if not taken care of properly. This article will guide you with the right diagnosis and prevention measures. You can visit Crossby Family Dental and get more information if your teeth are hurt in the future.

How to Treat Crooked Teeth

The first step is to perform first aid. You must start by applying cold compresses to the bleeding area. A cotton gauge, when pressed against the wound, will reduce blood flow. Cold compresses also reduce swelling. If you have a broken tooth, you must cover it with wet gauze. You can then carry this gauze to your dentist.

Once you break a tooth, you must reach your dentist or an emergency room as fast as possible. You must rinse the tooth with water and put it in milk or saline. You must flush your mouth with warm water and cold compresses to reduce swelling and pain. You can also take over-the-counter medications, numbing agents, and clove oil for pain relief.

Diagnosis

A dentist will ask you multiple questions while he checks your teeth. He will ask you about your symptoms, pain, and possible cause of the broken tooth. Here are some procedures they will follow next:

• They will ask you to bite a stick to check your pain level.
• They will examine your teeth for damage.
• Pass a light through the tooth to check for cracks, and put dye on the tooth to make the cracks more visible.
• Dental X-rays to check signs of fracture.
  They might refer you to a root canal specialist to treat dental pulp and root damage.

When to Visit Your Dentist

You must visit your dentist if you have chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. You must see an emergency room instead if you cannot visit your dentist quickly. It is better to have yourself examined and checked. Doctors will provide you with pain relief medications.

If you have not hurt yourself but feel pain while you chew, then it is also better to visit your dentist. Sometimes, teeth have a few cracks from previous accidents, and they chip off later. Teeth infections and gingivitis also cause tooth and gum damage that can result in tooth loss.

Prevention

There are many precautions one can take to avoid tooth damage. You can follow some steps below to prevent a cracked tooth:

Oral Hygiene

Brush twice and floss once daily. Good oral hygiene will ensure the teeth are free from fungal and bacterial infections. Visit the dentist every other month to examine and check teeth for the tiniest cracks.

Protect your Mouth and Teeth

Teeth are mostly damaged while playing sports, and it is a priority to wear a mouth guard. The mouth guard will protect your teeth from falling or being hit during a game.

Don’t chew hard things

People must stay careful about what they chew. Ripping off tags, plastic wrappers, or fingernails can also affect your teeth. You must not chew ice or hard candy if you have sensitive teeth.

Final Thoughts

Every chipped or cracked tooth requires medical attention. You must stay cautious until the damage is diagnosed by an expert. If you have cracked or broken teeth, you can trust Crossby Family Dental to examine them. Their experts can help you in emergency dental care and provide excellent tooth repair options.