A fractured tooth can hurt, frighten, and be sudden. From a fall, biting down on something hard, or an old filling finally failing, know what to do, and quickly. Having a professional provide Emergency Dental Services in Sherwood Park can stop more harm from being done and ease your discomfort immediately.
Understanding what is and isn’t a dental emergency and acting fast can be the difference when you or someone in your family has a broken tooth.
Is a broken tooth a dental emergency?
Yes, all in all, a broken tooth is a dental emergency. How bad the break is will decide how soon it needs to be finished, but whenever a tooth is cracked, chipped, or fractured, it will expose the internal structures to bacteria. This increases the risk that an infection or permanent damage will result.
Even if the fractured tooth does not hurt initially, some underlying condition, like nerve or root damage, can exist. That is why it is necessary to visit a dental clinic near you as early as possible.
Common Causes of a Broken Tooth
Knowledge of how and why the teeth crack prevents such accidents in the future. Some of the usual reasons are
- Sports trauma
- Falling or accidents
- Biting on something hard, such as ice or candies
- Large or old fillings
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Sudden change in temperature in the mouth (hot soup and cold water, etc.)
In all these situations, timely action to stabilize the damage and take care is necessary.
Types of Tooth Damage and What They Mean
All breaks are not alike. Below are the most common forms of breaks and how to tell them apart:
Minor Chips
These small chips will not cause pain but will change your bite and your smile. A dentist will most likely fill them in or polish them out with bonding material.
Cracks or Fractures
Cracked teeth may be shallow or deep. If the crack extends to the root, more extreme treatment will be necessary, such as a root canal or possibly extraction.
Split Tooth
If the tooth splits and is divided into two or more sections, it will not be restorable and may need to be extracted.
Broken Cusp
The cusp is the sharp edge of the biting surface. A cracked cusp may not be so uncomfortable, but it must still be treated in order to regain the chewing function.
Vertical Root Fracture
These are more difficult to diagnose and result in infection. Symptoms show many years after the trauma.
Regardless of what kind, anything that is broken within a tooth is worth a professional checkup, even with emergency dental services near you to repair it quickly.
What to Do Immediately After Breaking a Tooth
Here are some steps you can take before reaching the dentist:
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
- Apply pressure with gauze if there’s bleeding.
- Use a cold compress on the cheek or lip to reduce swelling.
- Save any broken pieces and place them in milk or saline if possible.
- Avoid chewing on the affected side.
- Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed, but avoid putting aspirin directly on the gums.
The sooner you can get professional treatment, the better the outcome.
Treatment Options for a Broken Tooth
The right treatment depends on the extent of the damage:
- Dental Bonding or Filling: Used for minor chips and surface cracks.
- Dental Crown: Recommended when a large portion of the tooth is broken.
- Root Canal: If there is an infection or exposed inner pulp, a root canal is necessary.
- Extraction: If there is too much damage to the tooth to save it, it will be extracted.
- Veneers: For front teeth with cosmetic damage.
Your dentist will evaluate the injury and discuss the best option to restore your tooth’s function and appearance.
Preventing Future Dental Emergencies
While not all dental emergencies can be avoided, many are preventable with a few simple habits:
- Wear a mouthguard during sports or contact activities.
- Avoid chewing hard items like popcorn kernels, ice, or hard candy.
- Treat teeth grinding with a night guard if needed.
- Visit your dentist regularly for checkups to catch weakened teeth early.
- Practice good oral hygiene to keep teeth strong and healthy.
One of the best strategies to prevent recurring crises is to remain proactive.
When to Seek Emergency Dental Services
You should contact emergency dental services right away if:
- You’re in severe pain
- There’s bleeding that won’t stop.
- You’ve lost part or all of a tooth.
- You have signs of infection (swelling, pus, fever)
- The tooth is loose, even if not broken.
If you wait too long, the damage may worsen or the treatment may become more difficult. In addition to saving the tooth, prompt care can ease your discomfort.
Don’t Wait, Act Fast for a Healthier Smile
A broken tooth may feel overwhelming in the moment, but with the right response and quick professional care, you can protect your smile and avoid long-term complications. For fast, caring, and expert treatment, trust Aspire Smiles. Contact our team today and let us help you get back to smiling without pain or worry.