How to Deal with Broken Dental Crowns
Posted on: 29 August 2016
While dental crowns are tough, unfortunately, it isn't impossible to damage them. Eating hard foods or constantly grinding your teeth can cause them to crack. While a cracked or loose dental crown doesn't present a serious problem, the exposed tooth could become sensitive and cause discomfort and pain. Below is a guide to the steps you can take to deal with a broken dental crown.
Immediate treatment
A damaged crown shouldn't stop you from going about your normal day-to-day activities. However, if you begin to experience any pain or swelling, there are some actions you should take. Begin by filling a cup with warm water and adding a little salt. Wash your mouth out using this solution. This will help to ease the swelling and prevent infection. You should then use a piece of cotton to apply a little clove oil. This will help to reduce any pain or discomfort. However, you should either book an appointment with your dentist or carry out a home repair using a kit as soon as possible. If you do not, food debris and plaque may enter the exposed space around the crown, leading to a bacterial infection. This will lead to increased pain and swelling and could result in the loss of the tooth.
Home Dental Repair Kit
You should be able to pick up a dental repair kit from your local pharmacy. The dental repair kit will contain dental cement and tools which will allow you to reattach the crown. However, home repair is only ever a temporary solution. Before applying the dental cement, you should rinse off the crown and gently clean it with a toothbrush. Dry off the crown using a sterile dressing and apply the cement to the part that comes into contact with your tooth. If you cannot make the crown fit comfortably back in place, you should stop the repair and book an appointment with your dentist. Once you have reattached the crown, you should gently floss the tooth in order to remove any excess dental cement. Avoid eating any hard or chewy foods for the next few days to prevent further damage to the repaired crown.
If you are concerned about the condition of your dental crowns, you should contact your family dentist. Your dentist will be able to carry out a full assessment of your dental crowns before carrying out any necessary repairs or replacements.
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