Our teeth are really strong, but with the many stresses and strains that they have to endure, they can chip, crack or break. Common cause of these breaks can include:
– Eating something hard
– Facial trauma following an accident
– Damage from sports
– Untreated cavities can cause a tooth to become brittle and break
– Old, large amalgam fillings, where the remaining structure of the natural tooth can become brittle over a period of time
A broken tooth may not necessarily cause immediate pain. If the break has travelled to the nerve, you might experience occasional discomfort when chewing, for example, or sensitivity to hot and cold. Whether you are in pain or not, all breaks should be investigated by Dr. Matteo Bignamini as soon as possible in order to check the health and satiability of the tooth, and to provide necessary treatment to prevent further deterioration or problems.
If you’ve fractured or broken a tooth, follow these steps immediately before booking an appointment with Dr. Matteo Bignamini.
– Rinse your mouth out with warm water
– Apply pressure on any bleeding areas using gauze or a wet teabag
– Apply an icepack to your cheek if there’s any swelling
– If you have access to it, cover any major cracks with temporary dental cement
– If it’s painful, use an over the counter pain reliever such as paracetamol
– Cover any broken teeth with milk, saliva or saline solution
If you have a broken, cracked or chipped tooth, or a small gap you’re unhappy with, schedule a consultation with Dr. Matteo Bignamini, General & Cosmetic Dentist DDS (Italy) to discuss he different options available to restore the appearance of your teeth, and protect them for the future.