How to Treat a Broken Tooth at Home
Feeling helpless with a broken tooth? You don’t have to panic. This guide will walk you through the steps needed to treat your broken tooth at home. From pain management to prevention, learn how to make the process easier.
Quick facts: Treating A Broken Tooth At Home
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Assess the Damage
If you have recently broken your tooth then it is important that you assess the damage. Check the extent of the break and its location carefully. If the tooth is painful, it is a good idea to rinse your mouth with warm salt water to reduce the discomfort.
It is also important to note the time and date of the accident in case you need to make an appointment with a dentist.
Assess the severity of the break
If you have broken a tooth, the first step is to assess the severity of the break. Depending on how much of the tooth has broken off, you may need to visit a dental professional for treatment. However, if only a small piece of your tooth has broken off, there are steps you can take at home to care for and protect it. For instance, if you have broken a toe, you can check out some Treat Broken Toe tips.
- Start by brushing your teeth gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush or rinsing with warm water and salt. This will help remove any debris that may be lodged in the broken area.
- It’s also important not to apply too much pressure when brushing or flossing around the area; use extra caution in order not to aggravate it further.
- If discomfort persists, an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may help reduce inflammation and ease discomfort until you can visit a dental professional for treatment.
Determine the location of the break
If you have a broken tooth, it is important to first determine the location of the break. After assessing the location, you can then decide how best to treat it. It may be important to determine if the broken area is in a visible or non-visible area when making your decisions about treatment options.
If the break is visible, you may be able to buy temporary dental cement at your local drug store or pharmacy to cover up and protect the jagged edges of your broken tooth. If the break is not visible and you know that only a small portion of your enamel has been damaged, you may not need any additional treatments other than regular oral hygiene habits such as:
- Brushing twice per day
- Flossing daily
However, if there appears to be a large gap between different parts of your tooth, it may be necessary for you to see a dentist in order to restore what was once there and protect it from further damage or infection. If part of your root has been exposed due to trauma or decay, then this could require special attention since exposure can easily lead to infection or further damage.
Clean the Area
Cleaning the area around a broken tooth is a necessary step to prevent infection and other health complications. It’s important to keep the area as clean as possible to ensure that the injury doesn’t worsen. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to clean the area and keep it clean throughout the healing process:
- Clean the area with warm water and a soft cloth.
- Rinse the area with a mild antiseptic solution.
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- Use a cotton swab to gently remove any debris from the area.
- Apply a topical antiseptic cream to the area.
- Cover the area with a bandage to keep it clean and protected.
Rinse the area with warm salt water
Rinsing the mouth and the broken tooth area with warm salt water following an injury to the mouth is recommended. Make a solution by mixing half a teaspoon of salt in 8 oz (240 ml) of warm water and rinse your mouth for about 30 seconds. Swirl the mixture around in your mouth for about 30 seconds and spit it out.
This will help:
- remove debris and reduce swelling in the affected area.
- rinse away any bacteria that may have been introduced when the tooth was broken, helping to reduce the chance of infection.
Gently brush the area with a soft-bristled toothbrush
When a tooth is broken or chipped, it’s important to clean the area with a soft-bristled toothbrush. This will help remove any food particles or debris that may be stuck to the area.
- Start by gently brushing the area and paying particular attention to any other damaged teeth in the vicinity. Use gentle, circular motions and apply only light pressure.
- After brushing, rinse your mouth out with warm water for about 30 seconds to further remove any remaining debris and reduce inflammation.
- Additionally, gently floss around the damaged tooth as well as other nearby teeth to ensure that any food particles lodged between them are removed.
Reduce the Pain
Experiencing a broken tooth can be a very uncomfortable experience. Every second counts when it comes to relieving the associated pain, so it’s important to take quick action. Here are some tips to help reduce the pain of a broken tooth and keep you comfortable until you can see a dentist:
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
- Apply a cold compress to the affected area to reduce swelling.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help reduce the pain.
- Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods with the affected tooth.
- Avoid using the affected tooth when brushing your teeth.
Take over-the-counter pain medication
If you have a broken tooth, you may want to take over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce the discomfort. Your doctor can provide more specific instructions for taking medications to reduce inflammation and pain. Additionally, some over-the-counter mouth rinses and anesthetics with benzocaine can help reduce the pain by numbing the area.
In some cases, a cold compress can help to soothe some of the discomfort associated with a broken tooth. It is best to avoid using heat as it can cause additional damage. Additionally, eating soft foods until you are able to get professional dental treatment is recommended as it will put less strain on your teeth than hard foods or sticky treats.
Apply a cold compress to the area
Applying a cold compress or ice pack to the area around your broken tooth can help reduce any pain or swelling. It’s important to keep the area as still as possible so that you don’t accidentally damage the tooth further. Make sure not to apply too much pressure, otherwise, it could be quite uncomfortable.
To make a cold compress,
- put several ice cubes in a plastic bag
- wrap it in a thin cloth
- place this over your cheek or jaw
- hold it in place for up to 20 minutes at a time, multiple times each day.
Other methods of cold therapy include using a bag of frozen vegetables such as peas or corn, or sucking on an ice cube wrapped in cloth.
Temporary Solutions
A broken tooth can be a very uncomfortable experience, but there are some temporary solutions you can try at home to make yourself more comfortable until you can get to a dentist. These solutions may include:
- Pain relief medications
- Applying ice or a cold compress to the affected area.
It is important to remember that these are just temporary solutions and you should still seek medical advice from a professional for the best treatment.
Use dental wax to cover sharp edges
Dental wax is a great temporary solution for covering sharp, jagged edges of a broken tooth. It is made from safe ingredients such as beeswax and paraffin, and often available in drugstores without a prescription.
To use dental wax, roll it into a thin rope-like shape and then place it over the sharp edge of the tooth. Make sure you get in between all the cracks and crevices of the broken tooth to ensure maximum coverage.
Dental wax will keep any food particles or bacteria from getting stuck in between jagged edges and prevent your tongue or other soft tissues from becoming cut or scraped on a rough edge. Additionally, dental wax helps to make eating and speaking more comfortable while you wait to visit your dentist.
Use over-the-counter dental cement to reattach a broken piece
If a piece of your tooth has been broken off, it is possible to reattach the piece using over-the-counter dental cement. This is an inexpensive and relatively simple method of temporarily restoring a broken tooth until you are able to get professional care.
The process involves first preparing the broken surface by cleaning it and sanding it down until there are no jagged edges. Once that is done, a small amount of dental cement should be placed on the clean surface of both pieces (the remaining part of the tooth and the broken off piece). The pieces should then be carefully lined up and pressed together to ensure that they fit snugly. To ensure that the cement holds in place, biting down on a moistened cotton ball can help keep everything secure until you are able to get professional help.
Seek Professional Help
When it comes to treating a broken tooth, it is important to seek professional help. Visiting your dentist is usually the best course of action as they will be able to properly diagnose and treat the issue. Moreover, they will give you advice on the best way to care for your teeth at home and provide professional treatments if necessary.
Visit your dentist for a permanent solution
If you have a broken tooth, it is essential to visit your dentist as soon as possible in order to avoid further complications. Your dentist will be able to determine the cause of the break and recommend appropriate treatment. This may include a filling, crown, or extraction.
Your dentist will also be able to assess any underlying damage and make sure that it is resolved before further issues arise.
Your dentist has the knowledge and expertise necessary to provide reliable and long-lasting results. They may also use X-rays to ensure that your tooth’s roots are healthy and not in danger of needing additional work in the future. Additionally, visiting your dentist for a broken tooth ensures that you receive the best quality care available for such an injury.
Get a root canal or crown to treat a broken tooth
If you have a broken or chipped tooth, the best course of action is to visit your dentist and ask for a professional opinion. If a large portion of the tooth has been lost, it may require a root canal and crown to get it back to its original strength and functionality.
A root canal involves cleaning out the inner portion of the tooth to remove any infected or decayed material that may be accumulating inside it. After this procedure is complete, the dentist will place a crown over the affected area in order to effectively protect and restore the original shape of your tooth.
Depending on your dental insurance coverage, this procedure can be expensive. Additionally, if you don’t have coverage for your treatment, you’ll have to pay out of pocket. Therefore, it’s highly recommended that you seek professional help if you think you need a root canal or crown for your broken or chipped tooth.
FAQs about: Treating A Broken Tooth At Home
Q: What can I do to treat a broken tooth at home?
A: There are some temporary relief measures you can take at home, such as rinsing with warm salt water, applying a cold compress to reduce swelling, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. However, it is important to visit a dentist as soon as possible for professional treatment.
Q: What should I do if I have a broken tooth?
A: It is important to contact a dentist immediately if you have a broken tooth. The dentist will be able to diagnose the severity of the damage and recommend the best course of treatment.
Q: What is the best way to prevent a broken tooth?
A: Practicing good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent a broken tooth. This includes brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.
