Kids and Teeth from Babyhood to University

Dental crowns are usually durable and can last for many years, but occasionally they break and require repair. If you have bitten down on a piece of food and felt your dental crown crack, here are a few steps you should take right away to limit the damage.

1. Assess the Situation

When you feel your dental crown break, go to the mirror so you can take a look at the situation. If the crown has fallen out or come loose, try to very gently remove it from your mouth and put it in a safe place. Don't let the crown fall down the drain, as it is easier to protect your tooth if you don't lose it.

2. Stop Bleeding

Sometimes a broken dental crown can scratch the teeth and gums, causing bleeding. Before you attempt any kind of repair, press gauze onto the site of the bleeding until it stops.

3. Repair the Crown

Although you need to see a dentist to repair your dental crown permanently, you can carry out a temporary repair to protect the tooth while you wait for your appointment. You will need dental cement, which you can buy from a pharmacy.

If you still have the dental crown, apply a layer of dental cement onto the crown and press it back into place on the broken tooth. If you don't have the crown, you can still apply dental cement to the tooth to protect the exposed nerve. This should help to reduce sensitivity until you can see your dentist.

4. Treat the Pain

Pharmacies sell many products you can use to treat dental pain. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are both good choices that are safe for most people to take. You can also apply clove oil directly to the site of the broken crown for immediate pain relief.

5. Call Your Dentist

Call your dentist to schedule an appointment to have your crown repaired. If you are in a lot of pain, you should try to get an emergency appointment. However, if you manage to perform a temporary repair, you might find it possible to cope with a broken crown for a few days without too much pain. When you see your dentist, they will fit a new crown onto your tooth to protect against decay over the long term.

6. Care For the Damaged Tooth

While you wait for your dental appointment, you can avoid triggering pain in your damaged tooth by not exposing it to very hot or cold temperatures. Drink room temperature liquids instead of hot tea or iced water. Stick to soft foods that do not require much chewing, and try to chew as slowly and carefully as possible.