What to Do If a Crown Breaks
If you’ve ever experienced a broken dental crown, you know it can be a stressful situation. A dental crown, or cap, is designed to restore the shape, size, and strength of a tooth that has been damaged or decayed. However, sometimes a crown can break or come loose due to various reasons, such as biting down on something hard or due to natural wear and tear. In this article, we will discuss what you should do if a crown breaks, as well as tips to prevent it from happening again.
Immediate Steps to Take
When a crown breaks, it’s important to act quickly to minimize any discomfort and prevent further damage to the affected tooth. Here are some immediate steps you can take:
1. Save the broken pieces: If any pieces of the crown have come off, gently rinse them with warm water and store them in a container with some milk or saliva to keep them moist.
2. Apply dental cement: If the crown is still partially attached to the tooth, you can use dental cement from a drugstore to temporarily reattach it. This will help to protect the tooth until you can see a dentist.
3. Manage pain: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage any discomfort you may be experiencing.
Seeking Professional Help
It’s crucial to see a dentist as soon as possible after a crown breaks. Here’s what you can expect during your visit:
1. Evaluation: The dentist will examine the tooth and assess the extent of the damage to the crown and the underlying tooth.
2. Treatment options: Based on the evaluation, the dentist will discuss the best treatment options, which may include reattaching the crown, replacing it with a new one, or other restorative procedures.
3. Preventive measures: The dentist may also provide tips on how to prevent future crown breaks, such as avoiding hard foods and practicing good oral hygiene.
Preventing Future Crown Breaks
To help prevent a crown from breaking in the future, consider the following tips:
1. Practice good oral hygiene: Regular brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash can help keep your teeth and crowns healthy.
2. Avoid hard foods: Be cautious when eating hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that can put stress on your dental work.
3. Visit your dentist regularly: Regular dental check-ups can help detect and address any issues with your crowns early on.
In conclusion, if you experience a broken dental crown, it’s important to act quickly and seek professional help. By following the immediate steps and preventive measures outlined in this article, you can minimize discomfort and protect your teeth from further damage.
