According to the American Dental Association, it is imperative that you seek dental treatment as soon as possible if you notice that one of your teeth is broken. Early dental treatment is essential for two reasons:
- It will help to alleviate your pain as quickly as possible so that you do not needlessly suffer,
- It will protect the neighboring teeth from harmful bacteria and from becoming weakened and less stable inside the mouth.
One of the biggest misconceptions that people have regarding dental pain or discomfort is that it will get better on its own. However, unlike the rest of the body, the teeth do not have the ability to heal themselves. Once a tooth is damaged, it will require medical treatment to save the tooth.
Why Do Teeth Break?
Teeth are naturally strong. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, but it is not indestructible. The front teeth are highly susceptible to breaking from being hit in the mouth playing a contact sport or during a fall. The back teeth can also break due to grinding, clenching, and large cavities. Grinding and clenching the teeth can weaken the tooth enamel by wearing down the enamel and causing small cracks to develop. Also, not having cavities treated will cause the decay to spread throughout the tooth and lead to severe oral health problems.
When a tooth breaks, it may or may not cause pain. If a front tooth suffers a large chip, typically, the break does not damage the root of the tooth. Therefore, the tooth is just unsightly, but it does not cause pain. It can, however, irritate the inside of your lip because the jagged edge will rub against your lip. A back tooth that is broken will typically cause you intense pain. If the break is close to the tooth’s nerve, you may experience extreme sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, pressure when chewing, or even a constant throbbing or aching. The only way to relieve this discomfort is by visiting your dentist for treatment.
If you have a dental emergency such as a broken or painful tooth, please contact Jefferson Dental Care. In order to keep your tooth intact and extinguish your pain, you need immediate care. Call our practice today to schedule your appointment.
Posted on behalf of Jefferson Dental Care
