Broken and chipped teeth can be painful, and breakage often occurs when we least expect it. Unfortunately, this dental issue is more than just an aesthetic concern.

A broken tooth doesn’t always happen while chewing; ice, hard candy, or even a relatively soft food like a sandwich can cause a fracture. Often, the tooth already had micro-cracks, and the break was just the final tipping point. If the damage is severe enough or if there are persistent symptoms like pain, the tooth might need to come out.

If your broken tooth causes severe pain, some natural remedies can provide relief. Over-the-counter pain medication can be highly effective. There are also solutions in the spice section of the grocery store or your kitchen cabinet that may work.

Ginger and Cayenne

Ginger and cayenne contain natural ingredients that block pain signals to the brain. Mix them into a paste and absorb them into a cotton ball. Place the cotton ball on your tooth, avoiding your tongue and gums. Ginger and cayenne make a spicy mixture, so apply only for as long as you can.

Sea Salt

Dissolve about a teaspoon of sea salt in warm water. Swish in your mouth for about 30 seconds and spit out. This mixture is an effective antiseptic, cleansing the tooth and drawing out some fluid that causes the swelling.

You might consider doing this rinse routinely for oral health because it helps kill the bacteria that cause cavities. However, don’t brush more than three or four times a week, as too much can wear down your enamel.

Herbal Tea

Peppermint tea has numbing properties and can soothe and relax you. Additionally, black tea can reduce swelling due to its astringent tannins.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Many mouthwashes contain hydrogen peroxide because of its antibacterial properties. Rinsing with 3% hydrogen peroxide can help relieve a toothache and kill infection. After spitting it out, rinse your mouth with cold water.

While some home remedies may provide temporary pain relief, they don’t address the underlying cause. Instead, they can provide temporary pain relief while you’re waiting to see your emergency dentist. Most often, a cracked tooth will need dental attention.

Does a Cracked Tooth Need to Be Pulled?

Not all cracked teeth need extraction. Sometimes, patients can get a chipped tooth repaired with a simple dental bonding procedure. The likelihood of saving a tooth depends on the severity of the damage, which your dentist can determine. Rest assured that your dentist will do everything possible to save the tooth, usually by fixing it with a filling, crown, or bonding treatment.

In some cases, however, tooth extraction is unavoidable. Removing it is the only way to preserve your jawline and prevent the misalignment of your remaining teeth. For adults, a tooth will likely need to be pulled if it’s

• Loose
• Severely damaged
• Has severe decay
• Broken or cracked at the gun line
• Affected by severe periodontal disease

What Happens During a Tooth Extraction?

During a preliminary consultation, your dentist will take an X-ray of your cracked tooth to determine if extraction is necessary. The X-ray will show the tooth’s relationship to your other teeth, particularly how your upper teeth are connected to your sinuses and how the lower teeth are associated with the lower jaw and lip.

Your dentist will also review your dental and medical history and perform a thorough oral exam. If they determine that an extraction is necessary, you’ll schedule another office visit for the same-day procedure.

A tooth extraction is typically completed in one dental appointment. During the procedure, you will be given local anesthesia to numb the area. Once numbing has taken effect, the dentist may use an instrument to loosen the tooth before removing it. When it’s ready to come out, your dentist will place small forceps around the tooth and gently extract it.

Some hard-to-reach teeth, such as wisdom teeth, may require additional steps. In such cases, the dentist may need to make an incision in the gum tissue to access the tooth and the supporting jawbone. To prevent bone loss, it may be necessary to break up the tooth into smaller pieces for easier extraction.

Once the tooth is out, your dentist will apply pressure to control bleeding and facilitate clotting. They’ll then clean the area thoroughly and stitch any cut gum tissue.

Before your tooth extraction appointment, be sure to take these steps to prepare:

Don’t Eat, Drink, or Smoke Before the Procedure

Once you’ve scheduled your tooth extraction, your dentist will likely ask you not to eat or drink anything six or eight hours beforehand. You don’t want to introduce any bacteria to your mouth.

Also, avoid smoking on the day of the surgery. Smoking cigarettes can slow the body’s healing, interfering with your post-procedure recovery.

Smoking can also contribute to dry socket, in which the extracted tooth leaves a hole. This condition can be very painful and can pull a blood clot from the socket, the body’s natural attempt to protect the bones and nerves. Sometimes, this blood clot can dissolve or dislodge, exposing the nerve and causing severe pain or infection that can last 5-6 days.

Ask About Your Pain Management Options

If you’re concerned about pain or discomfort during the extraction, contact your dentist’s office in advance to ask how they manage pain. Most tooth extractions involve local anesthesia to numb the affected areas.

It’s okay to let the staff know if you’re especially anxious or have dental anxiety. They want to know what triggers your fear, and they’ll do what they can to make you more comfortable, such as applying a numbing agent before injecting the anesthesia.

If you prefer sedation, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), it’s important to mention it, as not all family dentists offer it. If you can’t imagine undergoing the procedure without sedation, consider asking your dentist for a referral to an oral surgeon or another dental practice that offers it.

Call Your Dentist if You’re Sick Before Extraction

Call your dentist if you have a cough, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting, or a cold within one week before surgery. They may want to postpone the treatment. While it may not seem like a big deal, it’s better to wait until you’re well enough to extract your broken tooth.

Being sick can interfere with proper healing from any dental procedure. That’s because your upper teeth, sinuses, lower teeth, jaw, tongue, and other parts of your mouth are interconnected. Also, nausea and vomiting leave an unhealed area vulnerable to stomach acids.

Options for Tooth Replacement

Once your broken tooth is extracted, you’ll need to plan to replace it. Leaving a gap between teeth can lead to problems with your surrounding teeth, causing them to shift or even fall out. The longer you go without replacing your tooth, the harder it’ll be to insert a replacement, like a dental implant. Missing teeth will also cause your jaw to disintegrate. If you’ve lost too much of your jawbone, you may need dental bone grafting before receiving an implant crown.

A dental implant is usually your best option for replacing a missing tooth. A dental implant looks and functions like your natural tooth and can last a long time. Unfortunately, a dental implant can be expensive, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 per tooth, depending on whether a bone graft is required.

An implant-supported bridge is another option and ideal if you’re missing multiple teeth in a row. For proper fitting, the dentist typically implants teeth at either end of the bridge to support the middle teeth. This method is less expensive than using a dental implant for each tooth.

A tooth-supported bridge uses your natural teeth, rather than two implants, to support the bridge. This is a more affordable option when dental implants aren’t necessary.

Removable partial dentures are the most cost-effective option. These function like full dentures but replace only one or a few missing teeth. If you’re considering a tooth replacement, ask your dentist which option best suits your oral health needs.

Do You Need an Emergency Dentist in Cincinnati?

If you notice a crack or break, call your family dentist as soon as possible. At Beckham Square Family Dental, we keep several appointment slots open daily for these types of emergencies. We can usually schedule you within a couple of days of the injury, even if we’ve never seen you before.

Dr. Schmerler and Dr. Hynes at Beckham Square Family Dental offer comprehensive, gentle family dentistry. They strive to help you feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Their team also uses the latest advancements, technologies, and innovations to optimize dental health.

If you need a tooth extraction or emergency dental care in the Cincinnati area, call us at Beckham Square Family Dental. Give us a call at 513.489.7800 or fill out our online form. We’ll get you scheduled within a few days, even if you’ve never been here before. We’re currently accepting new patients.