My tooth broke off, but it doesn't hurt?

If your tooth broke off, it is a serious dental problem, whether or not it hurts. The lack of pain implies that you have only a minor break; however, even these sorts of tooth injury can leave ragged edges that can cut your tongue, and may cause issues with your bite. Should you leave the break untreated, it may worsen and cause further damage to the tooth.

As soon as possible after realizing your tooth broke off, it's important that you contact our office for evaluation and treatment. Flush your mouth with warm water to remove any debris or food particles. If the tooth is bleeding, press against it with some gauze or a wet tea bag until the bleeding stops. If you're in pain, applying a cold ice pack or taking medication such as ibuprofen can help. Come to our office at the earliest opportunity; as a rule, broken teeth like these are the effect of tooth decay or disease.

In the event that you can't get to our office immediately, you can temporarily repair your tooth using an over the counter bonding agent. These home tooth repair kits can be found at most drugstores, but it's important to remember that they are not a substitute for professional dental treatment. They'll just protect your broken tooth for a couple of days. Leaving the tooth untreated can result in an infection that may spread into the gums, bone, and other teeth. Eventually, the tooth may die, resulting in tooth loss. It's critical that you visit our office at the earliest opportunity in order to save yourself from having to pay for far more extensive (and expensive) dental treatment later.

Teeth are made up of some of the strongest material in the body, however they are not indestructible. Breaks, splits, and chips can happen in various ways. Whatever the reason for your break, it is imperative that you look for treatment as quickly as possible.

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