Broken Teeth

Some people break bones like their arm or leg. These bones repair and are as good as new later. Your body has an amazing way of repairing itself. Broken teeth however are the exception. Your body intended for you to keep your teeth for a lifetime. When you break a tooth, you need to act fast!

Serious Signs of Broken Teeth

The inside of a tooth (pulp) is very sensitive. This deep layer can be damaged easily. Such sensitivity is a warning sign of a very seriously broken tooth. Bleeding is also a sign that something serious is wrong with your tooth, especially with adult teeth.

“I lost my tooth. What should I do?”

If one of your permanent teeth is knocked out it is very important to see us right away! The longer you wait, the harder it will be to put it back in place.

You have a thirty minute window to effectively reattach a tooth. These changes diminish greatly after twenty four hours. Here are some things you should do when you lose a tooth:

1. If you lose a permanent tooth, try to put it back in place. Be very careful not to swallow it!
2. If it cannot be placed back in place, keep it in a small amount of milk to preserve it.
3. Applying a cold compress will help with pain and bleeding. You can also apply direct pressure on the bleeding area.
4. Most importantly, see us right away!

“I was in a car accident. Can that hurt my teeth?”

If you have been in an accident and had injuries to your mouth or face, see us after you get medical treatment. It is extremely important to make sure that no serious damage was done to your teeth or roots. Broken teeth can result from damage to the roots of your teeth causing the tooth to die. In this instance a root canal is needed.

Broken Teeth from Gradual Wear and Tear

Teeth can break from an accident or from gradual tooth loss. Taking care of your teeth is important in preventing gradual tooth loss. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash is important. Seeing a dentist regularly is important too. If you do not take care of your teeth properly you are more likely to have gradual tooth loss.
In addition to proper maintenance, here are some simple ways to keep your teeth healthy:

• Don’t chew on anything but food.
• Don’t use your teeth as an opener or any other tool.
• Use a night guard (available from us) if you grind your teeth at night.
• Whenever you play sports use mouth protection.
• Do not suck on sour or acidity things like lemons, grapefruit, or aspirin.

Any questions?

Ask Stephen E. Stein
D.D.S., P.A.