Broken teeth, what are the causes and how to fix them?

Teeth are one of the organs in the human body that are known to be very tough. Even so, there are various unexpected things that can cause damage to broken teeth.

Broken teeth is a cause of toothache that not only affects daily activities to the risk of tooth infection, but also damages the aesthetics and appearance of the oral cavity.

For one reason or another, a person may experience a partial or even almost complete broken tooth, making it appear toothless. So what are the causes, ways of handling, fixing, and steps to prevent these dental problems before they happen to you?

Recognizing the various causes of broken teeth

Here are some things that can cause tooth fracture, from sports injuries to driving accidents to habits that you are generally not aware of.

1. Injury or accident

Injuries that exert great pressure on the jaw area are the most common causes of broken teeth. For example, when you fall on your knees and hit your face on the asphalt surface or you have a sports injury, for example you get hit in the face by a ball kick.

Driving accidents are also another factor that can cause broken front teeth, such as when you hit the face of a car steering wheel during a traffic accident. In addition, blunt force blows to the face during a fight can also cause injury to the mouth and teeth.

2. Chewing hard objects / food

Apart from being traumatized, biting something hard (for example, biting an ice cube, the tip of a pencil / pen) and chewing food too tightly also risks breaking teeth.

This risk is especially high in people whose teeth are already problematic, such as cavities (caries), have been filled, have had root canal treatment (root canal treatment), until they are eroded due to a habit of tightening their jaw or grinding their teeth (bruxism).

Teeth that are already weak or incomplete are at risk of breaking easily, because the teeth are forced to withstand a load greater than their ability. This large pressure can eventually create cracks in the tooth surface and may cause it to break.

First aid and how to fix a broken tooth at the dentist

Teeth that are broken or slightly cracked generally do not hurt. Most of the triggers cause a painful sensation around the mouth and jaw, for example, as a result of falling or being hit.

For first aid steps if you find a broken tooth, you can do the following.

• Immediately take pain relievers, such as paracetamol to deal with the pain that is caused.
• Try gargling warm salt water if your gums feel sore.
• If bleeding is found in the mouth, apply pressure to the wound source with a sterile cotton swab until the blood flow stops.

Regardless of how small the fracture is and whatever the cause, you should immediately see a dentist within 24 hours of the incident. Because, broken teeth can cause tooth nerves to die slowly.

Especially if the inner tooth structure (dentin) opens and is exposed. This condition will develop into dead teeth (necrosis) and can cause various complications, such as the appearance of a tooth abscess or a pocket of pus in the tooth. This also results in an increased risk of infection of the teeth.

If you still have any remaining fractures, take them to the dentist with you. In some cases, a broken tooth can be repaired immediately and replaced with a filling. However, how it is handled will also depend on the extent and depth of the fracture. If the broken tooth reaches the enamel or dentin, the broken tooth can be filled immediately.

If the fracture reveals the pulp and nerve of the tooth, the tooth must be treated first before filling or making a crown or artificial crown. If the fracture extends to the root, usually the remaining tooth has to be removed and replaced with a denture.

Then if during the examination the doctor sees a wound on the gums or cheeks in the mouth, they will also treat it at the same time to prevent the risk of infection.

How to treat broken teeth that have been repaired?

Broken teeth that have been restored to their original shape must be treated continuously, because they are at risk of breaking again.

Primarily, avoid excessive pressure on the teeth. Do not chew solid foods in the first few days after treatment. As much as possible avoid activities that can cause injury to the mouth and teeth.

After treatment at the doctor, you also still need to maintain dental hygiene by brushing your teeth properly and rinsing with mouthwash twice a day. Don't forget to check with the dentist about 3-6 months after the incident to see his condition.

How can you prevent your teeth from breaking easily?

The risk of broken teeth can be avoided by diligently taking care of dental health and protecting it from possible injury through the following things.

• Avoid the risk of injury (impact) to the head and face area.
• Use mouth guard or face cage when exercising at high risk of injury, such as boxing or soccer.
• Avoid bad habits, such as grinding teeth, biting nails or pencils, and other things that can cause teeth to break.
• Avoid chewing foods that are too hard, such as ice cubes or bones.
• Always keep your teeth clean so that you don't have cavities.
• Use dentures on teeth that have become toothless.

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