A broken tooth usually causes toothache, infections, changes in chewing, and even problems in the jaw, and should therefore always be evaluated by a dentist.
The tooth breaks or becomes cracked after a fall or accident, which usually causes some bleeding in the gums, in which case what should be done is to stop the bleeding by placing a wet gauze in cold water on the spot and press for a few minutes. This is usually effective and controls the bleeding within a few minutes, but it is still sensible to go to the dentist to restore the tooth.
What to do in case of a broken tooth
After stopping bleeding you should place an ice rock on the affected spot or suck a popsicle to prevent swelling of the mouth. Also, it is important to rinse your mouth with cold water and avoid passing the toothbrush at the bleeding site. It is also not recommended to use mouthwashes because they can aggravate the bleeding.
Then, evaluate the affected tooth to see if it is cracked or broken:
1. If the tooth is cracked or broken:
Even if it is a milk tooth, the dentist may advise that a restoration be made because the broken tooth is more difficult to clean and favors the caries and plaque.
2. If the tooth has fallen:
- If it is a milk tooth: If the tooth has really gone out completely, it is not necessary to put another tooth in place because the loss of a primary tooth does not cause any changes in the position of the teeth or difficulties in speech. And in the correct phase the definitive tooth will be born normally. But if a child misses an accident long before the age of 6 or 7 it is important to assess with the dentist whether it is worth using a device to keep the space open for the definitive tooth to be born easily.
- If it is a definite tooth: wash the tooth only with warm water and put it inside a glass with cold milk or in a container with the child's own saliva, or in case adult leave it inside the mouth is another excellent alternative to leave the to be reimplanted, which should occur no later than 1 hour after the accident. Understand when the dental implant is the best option.
How to Restore a Broken Tooth
The treatment to restore the broken tooth will depend on which part of the tooth has broken. When a definite tooth breaks beneath the bone line, the tooth is usually extracted and an implant placed in its place. But if the definitive tooth has broken above the bone line, the tooth can be devitalized, rebuilt and carry a new crown. If the broken tooth only affects the tooth enamel, the tooth can be reconstructed only with composites.
Know what to do if the tooth is bent, stuck in the gum or soft.
When to go to the dentist
It is recommended to consult your dentist whenever:
- The tooth is cracked, split or out of place;
- Other changes in the tooth appear, such as dark or soft teeth, up to 7 days after the fall or accident;
- There is difficulty chewing or talking;
- Signs of infection like swelling in the mouth, severe pain or fever appear.
In these cases, the dentist will assess the location of the affected tooth and diagnose the problem by initiating appropriate treatment.
