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What is the best treatment for a cracked tooth?
Chipped teeth account for the majority of dental injuries. Most chipped teeth can be repaired either by reattaching the broken piece of tooth enamel or by bonding a tooth-colored filling or crown in place. See your dentist as soon as possible after the injury to treat your chipped tooth and keep it from worsening.
How can I fix a cracked tooth at home?
Many drugstores sell emergency dental kits that include paraffin wax. You can soften some paraffin wax between your fingers and then place it over and around the chipped tooth to provide some protection. If you’re all out of paraffin wax, you can also use chewing gum — sugarless! — in the same way.
How long does paraffin wax last on teeth?
Do: Replace the wax as needed. Don’t: Reuse the wax or keep a single piece in place for more than two days.
How do you stop a cracked tooth from hurting?
Easing Tooth Pain
- Use an over-the-counter (OTC) pain-relief medication like Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen).
- Floss after eating.
- Use oil of cloves (eugenol).
- Try an OTC dental anesthetic like Orajel (benzocaine) or Anbesol (lidocaine), which you can find at most pharmacies.
- Sleep with your head elevated.
Can a cracked tooth heal itself?
It is possible for a tooth to repair itself if the damage is minimal. For example, if a tooth with a crack on the outer level and a minimal fracture line that does not cause pain may repair itself over time. The healing process is known as remineralization and refers to the minerals in our mouths.
What do you do when half your tooth breaks off?
If your tooth cracks in half, call your dental office immediately to set up an appointment. Make sure to let them know, your tooth is cracked in half. A broken tooth is not something you should put off. It could get worse and become infected.
Is it OK to leave a cracked tooth?
You might be tempted to just ignore your cracked tooth, but you definitely should not. An untreated cracked tooth can lead to tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, and ultimately tooth loss.
Can you put wax on a cracked tooth?
Did you know that dental wax can also provide short-term relief for a damaged tooth? You can even use dental wax for a broken tooth. It covers the sharp edges of a chipped or broken tooth while you wait for your dentist appointment.
How do you protect a cracked tooth?
How to Keep a Cracked Tooth From Getting Worse
- Use the cracked tooth as little as possible.
- Practice good oral hygiene.
- Use a saltwater rinse to keep the mouth clean.
- Protect the tooth while sleeping.
- Visit the dentist for treatment as soon as possible.
How do you keep a cracked tooth from getting infected?
How to prevent infection or further damage of a cracked tooth
- Use the cracked tooth as little as possible.
- Practice good oral hygiene.
- Use a saltwater rinse to keep the mouth clean.
- Protect the tooth while sleeping.
- Visit the dentist for treatment as soon as possible.
Can a cracked tooth get infected?
Infection: A cracked tooth that is left untreated for a duration of time can result in a pulp infection. This requires immediate treatment, as infection can spread to the gums and bone. Besides swelling, you may notice fever, increased pain, tender glands, and bad breath.
What should I do if I have a crack in my tooth?
Here is the most common treatment for a cracked tooth: Least severe: the tooth will require a dental crown to cover and restore the damage. Medium severity: if the crack has extended a little deeper into the tooth, we will often treat it by performing a root canal procedure, then placing a crown on the tooth to restore aesthetics and functionality.
How does a dentist repair a broken front tooth?
For front teeth, a dentist will use a tooth-colored composite resin to repair teeth, called bonding. Since it’s a simple procedure, bonding usually doesn’t require local anesthetics. First, the dentist roughens the surface of the tooth before adding adhesive. Then, they’ll apply the bonding material, shaping it to look like a natural tooth.
What kind of wax do you use on a broken tooth?
Nothing can replace a dentist, but tooth wax might be handy for a while. Tooth Wax is applied to even out rough surfaces inside the mouth. The wax is made from paraffin, carnauba wax, or beeswax. It’s a solid substance but easily softens with the hand’s warmth. To apply the wax, you first soften it with your hands.
Can a craze line be a cracked tooth?
Craze lines are not serious as long as they do not penetrate to the inner surface of the tooth called dentin. I do get patients, however, who come in and are concerned that they have a cracked tooth that may require treatment. So if you look closely at your teeth in a mirror and notice tiny, vertical lines…don’t fret!