Protect Your Teeth With A Dental Mouthguard
November 23, 2017
Playing contact sports increases the risk of breaking or cracking your tooth. Over the holidays, it’s all too easy to forget to put on mouthguards while playing football with your family. Fortunately, if you do have a broken/cracked tooth, today’s treatment options allow for quicker treatment to get you back to your normal routine much faster.
Symptoms of damaged teeth
Sometimes, you won’t feel any pain when you break, crack or chip a tooth. You may not notice it until you start eating. Biting down may not hurt, but when you release the bite, the pain might be worse. You could experience pain only when you expose the teeth to extreme temperatures, or the pain might be throbbing, coming and going at different intervals.
Treating Broken/Cracked Teeth
Although you cannot treat a broken or cracked tooth at home, you can take care of your mouth until you can see your dentist. Rinse your mouth with warm water and take over-the-counter pain medicine. Stick to softer foods and avoid the broken tooth when chewing. You may want to cover the tooth with sugar-free chewing gum to prevent cutting your tongue or cheek on the edge of it.
How your dentist treats your broken/cracked tooth depends on the severity of it. With minor fractures, your dentist may apply a bonding material to repair the break. Some breaks and cracks may require a dental crown to prevent further damage. The CEREC® dental crown can be made in one session and placed on your tooth the same day. A root canal might be necessary when the crack goes into the pulp of the tooth, down to the nerve.
Make an appointment with a cosmetic dentist in Bethel, CT if you have a broken or cracked tooth to have it repaired before it gets worse. Dr. Perrotta and Dr. SanGiacomo at Bethel Gentle Dental are happy to discuss your dental treatment and help you take the first steps toward a beautiful and healthy smile. Call us at today!