Healthy teeth are very important in everyday life. Teeth help us with chewing and speaking. A beautiful smile gives people confidence. Unfortunately, teeth can be damaged at any time due to an accident. A wrong move during sports or chewing hard food can cause trouble. A broken tooth is one of the most common dental accidents.
This situation always catches people by surprise. In most cases, the accident causes great panic. It is very important to remain calm at such times. Fast and correct action can save the tooth. Modern dentistry is now able to treat even the most severe injuries effectively. However, first aid and quick specialist care are essential for success. In this article, we explain in detail what to do if a tooth breaks.
What exactly happens to the tooth during the injury?
A tooth is not a simple bone, but a complex organ. The outer part of the tooth is the hard enamel. The enamel protects the inner parts of the tooth from external impacts. Underneath the enamel is a layer called dentine. Dentine is also a hard material, but it is more sensitive. The innermost part of the tooth contains the dental pulp. The dental pulp contains the nerves and blood vessels. When a tooth breaks, the depth of the injury determines the severity of the problem.
If only the enamel is damaged, the pain is usually mild or non-existent. In this case, the surface of the tooth becomes sharp, which irritates the tongue. If the fracture reaches the dentine, the tooth becomes sensitive to cold and heat. The worst-case scenario is when the dental pulp is also exposed. In this situation, the nerves become open to the outside world. This condition almost always causes unbearable, sharp pain. Furthermore, an open dental pulp easily becomes infected. Bacteria enter the inside of the tooth and cause inflammation. Therefore, a broken tooth must always be taken seriously, and you must see an emergency dentist immediately.
Immediate actions at the scene of the accident
When trouble happens, the first few minutes are crucial. If a part of the tooth has broken off, try to find the piece. The broken tooth fragment can be saved, and the dentist can often bond it back in place.
The found piece must be handled with care. Never hold the root part if the entire tooth has fallen out. Only touch the crown of the tooth, which is the visible part. The tooth fragment must be cleaned immediately if it is dirty. Use clean water or saline solution for this purpose.
Do not scrub the tooth under any circumstances, and do not use soap or chemicals. After cleaning, the tooth fragment must be kept wet. The best option is to place the piece into a glass of cold milk. The substances in milk help maintain the viability of the tooth cells. If milk is not available, clean water will also serve the purpose. In some cases, a special tooth saver box available at pharmacies can be used. The most important rule is that the broken piece must not dry out. A dried-out tooth is much harder or even impossible to save.
Controlling bleeding and pain relief at home
A tooth fracture is often accompanied by other injuries to the oral cavity. The gums or lips may also bleed after the accident. Bleeding in the mouth can look scary because the blood mixes with saliva and appears to be more. Bleeding can be stopped fastest by applying pressure. Take a clean gauze pad or a clean handkerchief. Place it on the bleeding area and bite down gently. Keep the pressure continuous for ten to fifteen minutes. Do not change the handkerchief every minute, because the blood clot cannot start to form this way.
The injured area can also be cooled from the outside. Wrap an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables in a clean towel. Place this on your face over the injury. The cold reduces swelling and also eases the pain. If the pain is very severe, take a familiar painkiller tablet. Make sure not to use medicine containing aspirin. Aspirin thins the blood and can increase bleeding in the mouth. After taking the medicine, go to the emergency dental surgery immediately.
What does the dentist do during emergency care?
At the emergency dental practice, the doctor first examines the injury thoroughly. They often take an X-ray of the tooth as well. The X-ray shows whether the root of the tooth is damaged inside the bone.
The course of treatment depends on the type of fracture. If the fracture is small and only affects the enamel, the solution is simple. The doctor smooths down the sharp edges so they do not cut the tongue. Then, they rebuild the missing part with a special filling material. This process is completely painless and fast.
If the fracture is deeper and reaches the dentine, the doctor creates a tooth-coloured aesthetic filling. This filling protects the tooth from sensitivity and restores its beautiful shape. If the broken piece is available and is in good condition, the doctor can fix it back to its original place using a special adhesive. This method gives a very durable and natural result.
More serious interventions in case of severe tooth fracture
In severe cases, the dental pulp is also damaged and the nerves become exposed. In this case, a simple filling is no longer enough to save the tooth. The doctor must perform a root canal treatment.
During root canal treatment, the damaged and infected dental pulp is removed. The inner canals of the tooth are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Then, the canals are filled with a special material. After the root canal treatment, the tooth will no longer hurt because there will be no live nerves inside it.
Since a root-treated tooth can become brittle over time, the doctor often recommends a crown instead of a simple filling. The crown completely covers the tooth and protects it from further fractures. If the tooth broke so unfortunately that the root also split in two, the tooth can no longer be saved. In this case, the doctor removes the tooth during emergency care. After the extraction, once the wound has healed, the missing tooth can be replaced with an implant or a bridge.
How can we avoid tooth fractures and emergencies?
Prevention is always the best method to avoid dental problems. Many tooth fractures could be prevented with proper care. If someone exercises actively, or plays combat sports or ball games, they should always wear a mouthguard. A mouthguard is a soft plastic device that absorbs shocks and protects teeth from breaking. A dentist can also make a custom-fitted mouthguard.
We must also pay attention to our habits at home. Never use your teeth as a tool. Do not open bottles with them, do not chew thread, and do not crack hard-shelled nuts with them. Chewing ice cubes and hard candies can also cause microscopic cracks in the enamel. These cracks lead to larger fractures over time.
Regular dental check-ups also help with prevention. The doctor notices old, weakened fillings or early tooth decay. A weak tooth breaks much more easily even during a normal meal. If we take care of our teeth and ask for expert help in time, we can avoid the need for emergency dental care.