A broken tooth can happen in an instant, whether from biting down on a piece of hard candy or experiencing an unexpected fall.
At Moskin Dental Associates, we know how stressful a broken tooth can be. Kimberly Chan, DDS, Jeannie Moskin, DDS, and our team are here to help you navigate dental injuries with expert care and gentle guidance.
We offer comprehensive evaluation and treatment of broken teeth to patients in and around the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, addressing everything from minor chips to severe fractures. Knowing when to seek immediate care is crucial for saving your tooth and protecting your oral health.
Seek immediate dental care for a broken tooth if you experience severe pain, continuous bleeding, swelling in your gums or face, or visible tooth root damage. These symptoms indicate that the protective outer enamel has been compromised, exposing the delicate inner nerve center to oral bacteria.
Leaving an exposed or injured nerve untreated allows bacteria to invade, quickly escalating a simple fracture into a severe, deep infection that jeopardizes both the tooth and surrounding jawbone.
Because a dead or dying nerve loses its blood supply, oral antibiotics circulating in your bloodstream can’t reach the bacteria trapped inside the root — meaning oral pills can’t cure the infection. American Dental Association guidelines emphasize physical source control as the only definitive solution.
We may need to perform oral surgery or place a dental implant, bridge, or crown to restore your smile's function and appearance. A physical procedure is the best solution for a severely broken and damaged tooth.
While waiting for your evaluation, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clear food debris, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek in short intervals to manage swelling, and take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed. You can cover any jagged edges with temporary dental wax or sugarless chewing gum to protect your soft tissues from injury.
If your tooth isn’t so severely broken, you should still call Moskin Dental Associates to make an appointment. A crack or chip may seem small or minor, but any dental injury that affects the enamel can weaken the tooth’s structure and leave it vulnerable to decay and further damage.
If you have cracked, chipped, or broken a tooth, don’t wait for the pain to worsen or severe oral health problems to take hold. Contact our team at Moskin Dental Associates right away. Early evaluation is the best way to prevent complex infections and save your natural smile.
