It’s well-known how essential it is to take care of our dental health, but accidents can happen and occasionally lead to a broken tooth. If you find yourself dealing with this situation, there are ways that allow you to repair your tooth at home without putting yourself in any danger. But, should you risk knowing how to fix a broken tooth at home? In this blog post, we will provide the risks and advantages of fixing a broken tooth on your own!
Sudden Chipped Tooth
Tonight, you’re relishing the simple pleasure of eating a scrumptious home-cooked dinner with your beloved family. Everything around you is peaceful and serene as you sit back and savor every delicious bite. It’s moments like this that make life worth living! As you enjoy yourself, a loud crunch interrupts your fun. Suddenly, an unbearable pain shoots through your mouth; it’s clear that one of your teeth has been chipped or broken! Unexpectedly finding yourself with a damaged tooth can be terribly inconvenient – especially in the middle of having fun!
You could possibly have accidentally chomped down on your fork, or maybe it was a particularly dense rye seed within the bread. But regardless of the cause, you can now observe in between thumb and forefinger that there is an inexplicable fraction of tooth which has clearly found its way outside its residence.
It may be difficult to correct a cracked tooth solely through self-care and at-home remedies, so seeing your dentist is the best option. But there are still some measures you can take while waiting for an appointment–including over-the-counter products–that will help manage any damage done to your broken tooth.
How does it Feel?
The signs and symptoms of broken teeth can vary depending on how badly you’ve chipped or broken your tooth. More often than not, however, a broken tooth will be painful when you bite down on it. It may also become sensitive to hot or cold foods and beverages, causing pain or discomfort when eating things with extreme temperatures – like ice cream or hot soup.
This is because chips or cracks in the tooth enamel (the hard, white outer layer of your tooth) can expose the nerves and blood vessels in the pulp (the inner soft tissue of your teeth) underneath, leading to increased tooth pain and sensitivity.
If left untreated, your chipped or broken tooth may begin to cause pain even when you’re not chewing since deep cracks can eventually lead to a pulp tissue infection, which may affect the bone and gums near the broken tooth.
Of course, none of us wants to walk around with a chipped front tooth or a painful broken tooth. The good news is that a dentist can usually repair a chipped or broken tooth quite easily. The sooner you repair a broken tooth, the better, so be sure to visit your dentist as soon as possible once you realize your tooth has been damaged. Unfortunately, once a crack in your tooth has extended below the gum line, it can’t be repaired and will have to be extracted (removed) instead.
Some of the ways your dentist can fix a broken tooth or tooth chipping are:
- Dental glue. A repair can be very simple if you only have a chipped tooth. Your dentist may be able to glue the chipped-off fragment of your tooth back on.
- Bonding. Also perfect for a chipped front tooth, bonding refers to using plastic resin to fill a small crack or chip and can help restore the tooth’s shape.
- Veneers. A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain or plastic fitted over the tooth’s front surface.
- A filling or crown. Fillings are made from porcelain or different metals and can repair holes in a chipped or broken tooth, while a crown is a small cap covering a damaged tooth.
- Root canal. If the pulp in the broken tooth has become infected, a root canal can be used to remove the infection. Your dentist will still need to fix a filling or crown to the affected tooth.
How to Protect Your Tooth Until You See a Dentist
Dentists do not advise home treatment to fix a broken tooth.
However, there are some steps you can take to protect your teeth and mouth:
Temporary Chipped Tooth Repair at Home
If you chip or crack a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm salt water as soon as possible. Washing your mouth immediately with salt water will help clean the tooth and the soft tissues.- Next, apply pressure to stop any bleeding. Set a cold compress on the area to reduce any swelling and pain.
- If you have the piece that broke off of your tooth, wrap it securely in wet gauze. Take it with you to the dentist.
Home Remedies: How to fix a broken Tooth at home
Before visiting the dentist, you can use several home remedies for pain relief from chipping a tooth:
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Ibuprofen and other over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help reduce pain but follow the package’s directions. Never take more than the recommended dosage.
You can also use clove oil on the injured area to help lessen the pain. It contains eugenol, a numbing ingredient with anti-inflammatory features.
Dental wax
If your tooth has a tiny chip and a jagged edge, you can set dental wax over the edge.
Dental wax prevents any sharpness from slicing your tongue or damaging your mouth. Many drugstores sell over-the-counter temporary fix kits with dental wax.
This home remedy is not recommended if you have a big chip or a missing section of a tooth.
If you use dental wax, avoid chewing on the side with the damaged tooth. Try flossing around the tooth to reduce irritation and pressure.
Temporary tooth repair kits
Different types of temporary tooth repair kits are available in drugstores and online.
While these kits should not replace professional oral care and treatment, they can be helpful while waiting to visit a dentist.
Tooth replacement kits are temporary and do not address the more significant issues that could lead to infection, tooth loss, or other oral health complications.
Some kits include dental wax, while others provide material that can mold into the shape of a tooth to fill any gaps on chipped teeth.
Benefits of Repairing a Broken Tooth At Home
The primary benefit of repairing a cracked or chipped tooth at home is that it will cost much less than professional medical treatment. Another advantage is that many tools and supplies needed for the repair process are readily available from any local pharmacy or hardware store. Additionally, it can save you time since the entire procedure can often be completed in one day.
Risks Associated With Repairing a Broken Tooth At Home
The primary risk associated with fixing a broken tooth is that not all damage can be repaired successfully without professional help. It’s also important to use appropriate tools when repairing a broken tooth – using anything too sharp or forceful could cause further damage. Additionally, if you don’t have prior experience with dental repairs, you should seek advice from a professional before attempting DIY fixes.
Conclusion
Repairing a broken tooth at home can have multiple benefits but also carries certain risks as well. Before attempting this type of repair, ensure you understand what tools are needed and get advice from someone with experience in the field first. With careful attention to detail, however, it may be possible for you to save time and money by using DIY methods to fix your own teeth!
References:
https://www.newmouth.com/blog/chipped-tooth-home-repair/
https://www.sensodyne.com/en-gb/oral-health-tips/chipped-tooth/
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-fix-a-chipped-tooth
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/repairing-a-chipped-or-broken-tooth