Although it can be a bit frightening, if you chip or crack a tooth, don’t panic. A broken tooth is more common than you think, and your dentist has options to fix it. Chipped or cracked teeth can be caused by cavities, bad bites or chewing on something hard, trauma to the face, poor dental hygiene or teeth grinding. And while we can’t give professional advice in the place of your trusted dentist, we can offer a hand in what to do until you get to your appointment.

 

First and foremost, any tooth that is chipped, cracked or knocked out could be considered a dental emergency. The reason being, it could become infected. A cracked tooth may only affect the enamel, or it may travel down to the root. And while a chipped tooth may not cause pain, a cracked tooth may cause pain when consuming something hot or cold. However, even if it doesn’t hurt, the nerve inside could be damaged.

 

Give your dentist’s office a call immediately, to see what the next step should be. Be aware that the treatment options for cracked or broken teeth will depend on the severity. These can include fillings, crowns tooth bonding, teeth splints or root canals.

 

Then, before your appointment, keep your mouth and tooth as clean as possible by rinsing with warm water. Use caution if you chew something so it doesn’t not chip or crack more. And lastly, in most cases it’s best to cover a broken tooth to avoid exposure to bacteria.

 

 

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