A good set of teeth paves the way to the best smile; however, some factors cause the tooth or teeth to be chipped, damaged, or broken. As a result, the person’s perfect teeth set and smile will be ruined. The following are the causes, signs and symptoms, and home remedies for a broken tooth.
Causes
A break in the tooth has various causes. According to Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute Delhi Dentistry Senior Consultant Puneet Ahuja, a broken tooth has internal and external causes. As cited by India Times, she said that there were many reasons as to why a tooth broke. She added that some of them were internal like deficiency of calcium in enamel, poor organic matrix of tooth, whichmade the teeth susceptible to break and and cavities that cause fissures. Ahuja also said that the external causes for broken tooth could be accidents, night grinding, bruxism or excessive grinding or jaw clenching, falls, or getting into fights.
Signs and Symptoms
A broken or cracked tooth presents several symptoms. According to the American Association of Endodontists, symptoms may include erratic pain when chewing, biting, or exposing the teeth to extreme temperatures. As per the publication, the pain may be intermittent that the dentist may have difficulties in locating the tooth that causes the discomfort. In terms of appearance, the tooth may have craze lines or tiny cracks on the outer enamel, fractured cusp, splitting, or vertical root fracture.
Home Remedies
While the dentist has a specific management for a broken tooth, home remedies can be done to resolve the situation.
Tea Bag
Tea bag is one of the remedies for broken tooth, as per Home Remedies Care. According to the publication, tea helps relieve swelling in the mouth, in addition to detoxifying the body. To perform, the person drinks a cup of warm tea. Then, the teabag is taken out and is carefully inserted into the mouth on the affected area. Next, the person gently closes his mouth. As per the publication, tea also contains tannins, which help numbing the area; thus, they help relieve the pain.
Chewing Gum
Another remedy for a broken tooth is sugarless chewing gum. According to Web MD, covering the sharp or jagged-edged tooth with a sugarless chewing gum or wax paraffin prevents the broken tooth from cutting the tongue or the interior of the cheek or lip. In terms of diet, as per the publication, the person may eat soft foods and avoid biting down on the broken tooth; otherwise, the damage may aggravate and lead to the loss of the tooth.
Cloves
Cloves also stand as remedies for a broken tooth. Also called Eugenol in the market, as per Very Well, cloves have anesthetic properties; this means it is capable of reducing pain from the tooth. To apply, as per the publication, the person soaks a small piece of cotton in the oil. Next, he blots the cotton on a piece of tissue to remove the excess. Then, he uses tweezers and holds the cotton on the tooth for ten seconds. It is important not to swallow any of the oil.
Salt Water
Another remedy for broken tooth is warm salt water. According to Very Well, rinsing the tooth with warm water helps relieve a toothache due to a crack or break. Also, it works as an antiseptic to get rid of the bacteria from the infected area. As per the publication, the remedy is done twice or thrice a day.
A broken tooth affects the aesthetics of a person’s teeth set and smile, which may affect his social interaction with other people. Thus, it is best to seek medical consult with a dentist to facilitate proper assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation.
