It may surprise you to learn that over 1 billion people have experienced a traumatic dental injury at some point. One of the most common is a broken tooth. In some cases, it’s even possible that your tooth broke in half.

A situation like this can initially seem overwhelming, but it's easier to deal with than most people anticipate. Let's take a closer look at the key information you need to know.

Call a Dentist Immediately

As you might assume, it's essential that you get in touch with a dentist as soon as possible if your tooth is cracked in half. This is the only way to ensure that you get the appropriate treatment.

Since this is often considered a dental emergency, it's in your best interest to look for local emergency dentistry. They have all of the tools and resources necessary to handle your situation.

Keep this in mind when searching for an emergency dentistry dentist in Rockaway Beach NY.

Manage Pain Appropriately

Depending on how bad the break was, you may find yourself in extreme pain. You might also experience substantial bleeding.

This is typically determined by how much of your tooth broke off. The larger the break, the more likely it is that you damaged your gums and the nerves that are rooted in your tooth.

If you find yourself dealing with pain, be sure that you manage it appropriately. Over-the-counter pain relievers are often enough to hold you over until you can make it to an emergency dentist. You can stop bleeding by applying pressure to the affected area.

If the bleeding fails to improve, though, you may need to visit urgent care services if you can't make it to the dentist in time. You should also cover the broken area with a piece of sugar-free chewing gum or paraffin wax if it’s jagged or sharp. This will prevent you from cutting your mouth if you broke a tooth.

Retrieve the Broken Piece

In some cases, the dentist may be able to bond the broken piece of your tooth back together. This is often possible with small breaks, but it likely isn't an option if the break extended to your gum line.

If you can't find the broken piece or if your dentist can attach it, there's no need to worry. They will shave the remaining segment of the tooth down and install a crown. Since crowns need to be custom-made, they will give you a temporary plastic tooth until it's ready.

Broken Tooth Causes

There are numerous causes of broken teeth, and they can all be avoided. One of the most common is physical trauma. This could stem from a variety of situations, such as a fall, playing a collision sport, or accidentally colliding with a hard surface.

It's also possible to break a tooth by biting something hard. For example, somebody who bites down on chicken wings might break their tooth on a bone.

In general, you can avoid situations like these by remaining vigilant of your surroundings. You should also eat hard/tough foods with caution so that you don't put yourself at risk.

It’s also worth noting that certain factors make your teeth more prone to breaking. Grinding your teeth at night, aging, and having poor dental hygiene can make your teeth more susceptible.

Consequences of Waiting

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is waiting too long to take action. They often do so for financial reasons, such as fearing they won't be able to afford the treatment.

Unfortunately, waiting can cause a large number of issues within a short period of time. When you break a tooth, you expose the tooth's inner layers to bacteria. As these bacteria accumulate, you can develop cavities.

Cracks that go to the root of the tooth could become infected, and this infection could attack the blood vessels and nerves. This can then result in a dental abscess. A situation like this could require a root canal or even a tooth extraction.

Projected Timeline

How long a tooth takes to repair will depend on the severity of the break. As previously mentioned, your dentist may be able to bond the broken piece of your tooth back to the base. This is something that they can complete in a single session.

Larger breaks may require a crown, which can take weeks to fully resolve. Once again, this is contingent upon how long it takes for the crown to be manufactured.

As soon as you arrive at the dentist, there will be able to give you an accurate projection of your recovery timeline. The good news is that most situations will be resolved fairly quickly.

Finding a Dentist

Finding the right dentist is essential when it comes to getting the best care.

Check out their past reputation before making your decision. This will provide insight into the type of care you get. You should also take a look at their past client results to make sure they are capable of handling your issue.

Take Action if Your Tooth Broke in Half

The longer you wait, the more complicated the situation can become.

So, reach out to a reputable dentist as soon as possible if your tooth broke in half. This is the only way you can prevent issues like infection from occurring. Feel free to get in touch with us at Averne Dental today. Our professional staff is ready to help get you back on track.