A broken tooth can be a dental emergency, especially if it has resulted in bleeding and severe pain.
82% of adults over 15 visited a private dental practice over two years. So statistics show that a vast majority of people find a reason or an emergency that brings them to the dentist.
And while we’ll all be part of that statistic at some time or another, it is best to arrive prepared. Know the common causes of broken teeth and ensure you understand the treatment methods prescribed by your dentist.
Let’s get started with broken teeth causes.
What Are Common Broken Teeth Causes?
There can be various causes for a chipped, cracked or broken tooth. These include:
- Ageing – people aged 50 and above have a natural propensity for cracked and chipped teeth
- Teeth grinding – children and adults alike might get in the habit of grinding their teeth when stressed or sleeping, resulting in a broken tooth or two
- Large fillings – these can also cause a broken tooth since they weaken the tooth’s integrity.
- Abrupt changes in mouth temperature – for example, eating something hot and immediately cooling it down with ice-cold water may cause teeth to crack or chip
- Accidents – this includes any blows to the mouth, such as in car accidents, sports injuries, or falls.
- Chewing or biting hard foods (nuts, hard candy, or ice)
What Are Some Signs That You May Have A Broken Tooth?
Sometimes the cracks and damage to a tooth may not be immediately visible. In fact, it may not even show up on X-rays.
As a result, you may have trouble identifying the broken teeth and pinpointing the broken teeth causes.
Your dentist may ask questions to determine if your teeth are damaged, cracked or broken. Here are a few symptoms of broken teeth that you can discuss with them:
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Temperature Sensitivity
Cracked and broken teeth are sensitive to cold and hot foods. You may even feel a tinge of pain upon eating sweets.
Tooth sensitivity can be described as a sharp nerve reaction or mild throbbing pain that happens when your broken tooth comes in contact with extreme temperature. The extent and severity of pain depend on the depth of the crack.
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Infection
Ignoring a cracked tooth for a long time can result in pulp infection. The case requires a visit to the emergency dentist for treatment, as the infection can spread to the bones and gums. Bad breath and increased pain indicate that your broken tooth problem has worsened and may have turned into an infection.
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Pain When Chewing
If you suddenly experience pain with chewing in one part of the mouth, chances are that a cracked tooth is responsible for it. It could be mild or severe pain, but it’s mainly felt when chewing and releasing the bite. It can be difficult to identify the particular pain-causing tooth; this job’s best left to the dentist.
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Gum Swelling
Besides the above symptom, gum swelling is another common sign of cracked or broken teeth. The swelling can occur at or around the damaged tooth. You can identify it because of its prominent redness. It is an indication that tooth pulp might be injured.
Treatment For Broken Teeth
Tooth treatment depends on the size of the crack and its location. Whatever the broken tooth cause, don’t wait for the pain, swelling and bleeding to subside by themselves. Treat this as a dental emergency and visit your dentist right away.
They may suggest one or a combination of these treatments:
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Teeth Bonding
Teeth bonding is an excellent way to fix tooth cracks and damage. The fracture or crack is filled with plastic resin, and your teeth feel new and pain-free in no time at all.
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Root Canal
The crack sometimes gets even more painful when it extends into the pulp. Your dentist might suggest you get a root canal in this case. Root canal treatment relieves pain and saves a tooth from extraction.
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Extraction
In cases where the root and nerves below the tooth have been completely damaged, the only option is to extract the tooth.
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Crown
A dental crown caps the damaged tooth to provide additional support and protect it from further damage. Your dentist will shape the top and sides of the tooth to accommodate the crown and cement it in place.
Get Your Broken Tooth Fixed Today
Take care of your tooth with My Local Dentists Northmead by calling us on (02) 9630 9996. Our emergency dentists are experienced and trained to detect possible issues with your teeth, understand why you have a dental emergency in the first place, and give you instant relief. We can accurately identify the broken tooth causes and handle any dental emergency.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – Oral health and dental care in Australia – https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia/contents/dental-care