You can never guess when a tooth will show structural damage. Sure, there are a few warning signs, like those that point to bruxism (teeth grinding) like a sore jaw and sensitive teeth, but it will always come as a shock when a tooth actually breaks. Thankfully, your Milford dentist, Dr. Mitchell I. Quintner, is here with some advice about how to care for a broken tooth. Below, he explains what to do in the immediate aftermath as well as how modern dentistry can restore your tooth’s function and cosmetic appeal.
A Broken Tooth: The Aftermath
If your tooth breaks, there will be a few moments of shock. But as the astonishment begins to subside, it will likely be replaced by panic. Should this situation happen to you, rest assured that your tooth can be repaired. Knowing that a tooth can be mended goes a long way toward soothing victims of broken teeth, and a calm mind is a major asset when dealing with a broken tooth because there are a few steps that you can take to begin dealing with a broken tooth before you ever step foot in a dental office.
The first step is to rinse your mouth with warm water. When a tooth breaks, bacteria have easy access to vital parts of the tooth, putting it at risk of infection. An infection in a tooth can kill the tooth and result in tooth loss. There is also no guarantee that the infection will die with the tooth because it may spread around the mouth or even into the rest of the body. Thus it is very important to rinse your mouth in an effort to remove some of the bacteria present. After rinsing, the application of a cold compress can reduce any swelling if an accident or an unexpected blow was the cause of your broken tooth.
Repairing a Broken Tooth
To repair a broken tooth, your Milford dentist, Dr. Quintner, will likely recommend the application of a dental crown. Fitting over the top of a damaged tooth, dental crowns reinforce and strengthen teeth to restore their function. Each dental crown is also custom made for pleasing cosmetic results.
Schedule a Visit with Your Milford Dentist
Have you suffered a broken tooth? Your smile can be repaired. Contact our 06460 dental office to schedule an appointment with your Milford cosmetic dentist, Dr. Quintner, today by calling 203-878-6699. We proudly serve the 06460 area and welcome patients from Milford, Orange, Woodmont, West Haven, and all neighboring communities.