Despite what some people may think, your teeth are not invincible. There are many things that can lead to a broken tooth, such as playing sports, falling down, eating something hard, or simply a decaying tooth. So you broke a tooth, now what do you do? The first thing you need to do is see your dentist as soon as you can. There are some dental offices that are open on the weekends for emergencies, and sometimes even your own dentist will rush to help you. It is important to know what exactly broke your tooth, and your dentist can help you fix it. There are so many different types of breaks, and they all require different attention. Check out these different types of breaks to better understand your circumstance,
- Craze Line
This is a minor crack or ‘line’ shown on your tooth. This is a crack that affects the enamel of your tooth. These are usually shallow and do not cause pain. The best type of fix is to polish the tooth and smooth it down. Typically, it does not even need to be fixed for the sake of your oral health. Usually you will not notice this type of line, a dentist might see it during your exam, but besides that, it goes unnoticed.
- Chipped Tooth
A minor chip will not usually require treatment. They do not cause paint and you might not even know it chipped. They do not hurt your other teeth, however if the chip is sharp, you might cut your tongue and notice the chip then. Cosmetically, it can be an easy fix for your dentist.
- Cracked Tooth
This will affect the entire tooth all the way to the nerves. Early treatment is crucial for this type of break. If the crack is not treated, it will gradually spread and worsen as time goes on. Call your dentist as soon as you notice the crack, this should be easy because you will notice the pain. Typically your dentist will have you come in that day to repair it.
- Serious Break
This break will cause pain because it will go deep into the roots of your tooth. Often times this type of break will bleed and will cause pain as soon as it happens, so it shouldn’t go unnoticed. This is also a type of break that should be seen by your dentist as soon as you can.
- Split Tooth
This type of break occurs when a tooth has completely been split in half. This will happen to molars because they have two roots. This can happen on accident, but usually happens when a cracked tooth is untreated for a fair amount of time. This will be painful because your roots are now pulling your tooth apart. The best way to prevent this is to see your dentist before the crack gets too bad.
- Broken Cusp
This will occurs at the chewing surfaces of teeth. This type of break can cause pain, but not always. You will likely feel and hear the broken cusp while you are eating whatever caused it to break. This is also a reason to go straight to your dentist. The break can become sharp and cut other parts of your mouth, so it is safe to get it taken care of soon.
- Decay-induced Break
This type of break happens when a decays tooth loses all strength. Your teeth are strong, but when you don’t take care of them they slowly get weaker. When a tooth is too weak to eat, the softest food can cause it to break. Make sure you take care of your teeth before this happens to you.
The best thing to do after you have a beak, any type, is call your dentist. Explain what happened and what the break looks and feels like so they can get an accurate assumption of your break. Try to see your dentist as soon as possible, like stated earlier, many dentists will have you come in when you call or that same day. Take care of your teeth by brushing, flossing, wearing a mouthguard during sports, and watching what you eat. If your break is not a major issue, your dentist may recommend some small fixes you can do. If you have a question or need a tooth fixed, give us a call or fill out our contact form.