Prevention And Treatment For Broken Teeth

The best way to avoid the need to have a broken tooth repair is to prevent your teeth from breaking in the first place. This article will provide you with advice on how you can avoid broken teeth and what treatments are available if you do break a tooth.

Tips for preventing a broken tooth

Keep your teeth strong – Keeping your teeth strong and healthy will help you decrease your chances of breaking them. You want to follow good oral hygiene habits every day by brushing, flossing and using mouthwash. You also want to eat a healthy diet rich in teeth-strengthening foods high in calcium, vitamins and minerals.  

Wear a mouth guard – If you are involved in any sports that increase your chances of being hit in the mouth, then it is very important for you to wear a protective mouth guard. Consider getting one directly from your dentist so you know it is made from the best materials and contoured to fit your mouth the way it should.

Don't open things with your teeth – One of the ways a lot of people break their teeth is by opening packages with their teeth. This puts a lot of pressure on the teeth that can cause them to chip or fracture.

Don't eat dangerous foods – Chewing ice accounts for many chipped and broken teeth. Also, foods such as hard candies, popcorn kernels and olive pits can lead to a broken tooth. These foods should be eaten with caution.

How a broken tooth is repaired

The method used for repairing a broken tooth will depend on how severe the damage is. If the break is minor and has only affected the outer enamel of your tooth, a filling may be used to repair it. In some cases, bonding material can also be used to build up some of the tooth where a piece has broken off.

If the break is more serious and involves the enamel, as well as the inner layer of the tooth, then a crown may be required to repair it. In serious cases where the nerve has been damaged, a root canal may be necessary.

If you break your tooth, it's important that you get in to see the dentist as soon as you can. The longer the inner part of your tooth is exposed, the greater the chances are of developing a cavity. Also, there is an increased chance of breaking the tooth more.


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