Broken Teeth and the Emergency Dentist

emergency dentist Fort Lee, NJ

You should contact an emergency dentist as soon as possible if you have a dental emergency. A broken tooth can be a serious issue that constitutes a dental emergency. If your tooth is broken, it is important to seek medical care. Otherwise, your tooth can become infected, or further damage can happen and you can end up losing the tooth.

Emergency dentist

Teeth are strong, but they can break, chip or fracture. This can happen when a person falls, is hit in the mouth or face, bites down on something hard or has cavities that weaken the tooth. When a tooth breaks, a person may not feel pain. Minor tooth fractures often do not cause pain.

But when a large piece of a tooth breaks, it can hurt. The nerve inside a person’s tooth can be damaged. A person may also experience extreme discomfort if the nerve endings in the dentin end up being exposed to air or to cold or hot drinks or foods. Pain from a broken tooth can come and go or it may be constant.

Self-care measures

Even though dentists do not recommend home fixes for broken teeth, people can take particular measures that can help protect their teeth and mouth. For a broken tooth, rinsing the mouth with warm water can help to ensure the area is kept clean. Applying a cold compress can reduce swelling and pain. If the broken piece is found, a person should take it to the dentist. It should be wrapped in a wet towel or some wet gauze if possible. Once a person gets to the office, the dentist will assess the situation and determine the ideal treatment option.

Treatment

A broken tooth is considered a dental emergency if a person is in severe pain, bleeding heavily, has lost a tooth or has a major break. A person can benefit from contacting an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Treatment for a broken tooth will be based mainly on the severity of the damage. The dentist will be able to figure out the cause of the break, which can be due to a cavity and if the nerve of the tooth is in danger.

If the nerve is damaged, it will require root canal treatment. The pulp is usually probably damaged if the tooth hurts or is sensitive to heat. If pulp tissue dies and if it is not removed, it can become infected and eventually it may have to be extracted. During treatment, the dentist will remove the dead pulp and thoroughly clean the root canal before sealing it.

Contact a dentist

A broken tooth may not always constitute a dental emergency, but it is still important for a patient to have it examined by a dentist. Ignoring the problem for a long time can lead to future damage to the mouth and tooth. If you are in a lot of pain or bleeding heavily, you should contact an emergency dentist immediately. The dentist will inform you about the next steps to take.

Request an appointment here: https://fortleefamilydental.com or call Fort Lee Family Dental at (201) 620-9772 for an appointment in our Fort Lee office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

When A Tooth Abscess Is A Dental Emergency

A tooth abscess is a dental emergency because it has a risk of the infection expanding to other parts of the body. If an abscess spreads to the brain, it can have life-threatening effects.Abscesses can be incredibly painful, and the pain is often accompanied by swelling. The severity of the pain and swelling is often…

How An Emergency Dentist Can Fix A Cracked Tooth

If a patient has cracked, chipped, or broken a tooth, a licensed emergency dentist can provide quick relief in a variety of ways and ultimately repair the tooth to make it look whole again. This type of tooth damage can happen to anyone, but a person may be more at risk for this type of…

An Emergency Dentist Talks About Ways You Can Avoid An Emergency

While it is always a good idea to have an emergency dentist on call, individuals can avoid a dental emergency and all the pain, cost and hassle that comes with one by taking preventative measures. In many cases, this simply entails adopting healthy lifestyle habits.Dental emergencies, which range from toothache to fractured teeth to abscesses,…

What To Do If You Are Having A Dental Emergency

Like any emergency, a dental emergency can be a scary experience. Whether it is a cracked, chipped or lost tooth, a person is likely to experience two things: The first is pain and the second is fear — fear that the smile will never be whole again. Fortunately, there are dentists out there who specialize…

Recent Posts

What Questions You Should Ask Your Dentist About Adjusting To New Dentures

What Questions You Should Ask Your Dentist About Adjusting To New Dentures

Dentures can restore normalcy to the functions of chewing and eating, but for first-time wearers, there is a period spent adjusting to new dentures. By asking a dentist about this transitionary period, it is possible to minimize the discomfort and awkward mishaps that often accompany getting used to a new dental appliance. In addition, dealing…

How Cosmetic Dental Services Can Boost Your Confidence

How Cosmetic Dental Services Can Boost Your Confidence

Cosmetic dental services have the remarkable ability to transform not only people's teeth but also their self-confidence. A smile is a powerful tool, conveying warmth, happiness, and confidence. However, for those self-conscious about their teeth, it can significantly impact their willingness to smile freely. Cosmetic dental services offer a range of treatments that can help…