TM Prosthodontics Explains How to Heal a Chipped Tooth

MIAMI, December 21, 2018 (Newswire.com) - TM Prosthodontics, South Florida's premier dental implant specialist, discusses the importance of addressing a chipped tooth before it becomes a serious problem. 

Chipped teeth are not only an aesthetic concern, but they also create functional difficulties for those that have them; eating becomes more painful, plaque can accrue more easily between the teeth, and a chipped tooth can also hurt the tongue.

Initially, when a tooth chips or breaks, there may not be any pain. A small chip may not cause immediate pain, but a larger chip can expose the nerve endings to the air and cause excruciating pain. When people chew, they feel more pain as eating puts pressure on the tooth.

How to Treat Cracked Teeth

Although sometimes a tooth may appear to be fine, but when exposed to temperature differences pain can appear. Cracked teeth may not always hurt when used to bite, but pain can occur when someone releases a bite. 

Broken Teeth

Broken teeth, however, require a visit to the dentist as quickly as possible. The dentist or prosthodontist will be able to determine if the break was caused by a cavity and if the tooth's nerve is endangered. Damaged nerves usually require a root canal.

According to an article on Colgate.com, here are ways to care for broken teeth before a dentist appointment. 

How to Care for a Broken Tooth:

• "Rinse your mouth well with warm water.
• Apply pressure with a piece of gauze on any bleeding areas for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. If this doesn’t work, use a tea bag with pressure on the area to stop the bleeding.
• Apply a cold pack to the cheek or lips over the broken tooth. This will help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
• If you can't get to your dentist right away, cover the part of the tooth that is in your mouth with temporary dental cement. You can find this at a drugstore.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever."^[1]

A prosthodontist will be able to determine exactly how to repair a chipped tooth, be it through polishing visible cracks, and in some instances, a prosthodontist may fill the crack with a material, unless a root canal is necessary. 

If a break is more pronounced, a dental implant may be necessary. Dental implants are artificial teeth that are screwed into the gums, so they are far more resilient than dentures. Dental implants can also last for decades, without any restriction on what foods can be eaten. 

About TM Prosthodontics: For more information or to schedule a consultation with our prosthodontist, please call 305.935.6066 or visit http://www.tmprosthodontics.com. For dental crowns, dental implants, dental veneers and dental bridges in Miami, TM Prosthodontics has decades of experience in prosthodontics.

Citations:

Colgate.com (2012, April 30) Fractured And Broken Teeth. Retrieved from: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/conditions/dental-emergencies-and-sports-safety/fractured-and-broken-teeth

Source: TM Prosthodontics