A Broken Molar is a Dental Emergency
When it comes to eating, your molars do a lot of work. The back teeth were specifically designed with rough surfaces to help break down foods to make them easily swallowed and digested. Yet, with so much usage, the molars are susceptible to cracking and breaking.
The molars absorb most of the force when you chew. Chewing hard types of foods like pretzels, hard candies, and ice can lead to a crack in the tooth enamel. Grinding and clenching the teeth can also crack the molars. In these instances, you may not know precisely when it happens because a crack in a tooth is not always painful. However, if a crack leads to a broken tooth, there will typically be intense pain and sensitivity while eating or drinking hot or cold foods or putting any pressure on the tooth.
A broken molar will not heal on its own. You need to seek immediate care from your dentist as a broken tooth is a dental emergency. If a broken tooth is not treated quickly, not only will you suffer from extreme pain, but your tooth will be vulnerable to decay. Bacteria are present inside the mouth by the millions, and if they reach the inner layers of a tooth, they can cause irreversible damage. It is also an incredibly serious condition because damage to one tooth leaves the neighboring teeth susceptible to decay and damage.
If you experience a sudden, sharp pain or an injury to a tooth that results in a break, take these steps:
- If any piece of the tooth breaks off, find it and place it in a small cup with milk or your own saliva.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area of the affected tooth.
- Call your dentist right away!
- Place a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to help reduce swelling.
- If you are in extreme pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help control your pain.
- Don’t panic.
These simple steps can help save your smile. Knowing what to do in an emergency before an emergency happens can help you deal with the problem with greater confidence.
At The Smile Lounge, we are dedicated to providing the best dental care services to all our patients. If you experience a broken molar, cracked tooth, or any other oral damage, please contact our practice immediately!
Posted on Behalf of The Smile Lounge
