How to Manage Pain After Breaking a Tooth Before Your Appointment with Us
Posted on 12/7/2020 by Fern Creek Dentistry |
 A broken tooth will not always hurt. However, if the nerves have been exposed, because of exposure to the dentin, you may experience pain and sensitivity. If you have this dental dilemma, you will need to treat the pain before your scheduled visit.
Treating Broken Tooth Pain
To provide temporary relief from tooth pain before you visit us, gently rinse your mouth after you eat to clear any food residue from the broken tooth. You can use lukewarm water or saltwater, or equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide. Just make sure, when rinsing your mouth not to swish too hard, as this will reduce the pain and help you avoid infection. You will also need to ice the site to reduce swelling and discomfort. Do this for 15-minutes intervals, or as long as needed. Cover the ice cubes or a cold pack with a towel before holding it to the area that is swollen. If your tooth broke because of an injury, it may take days for the swelling to go down. To reduce bleeding, place a clean gauze pad inside the mouth near the affected tooth. This will help, somewhat, in ameliorating the pain.
Be Careful When Eating and Drinking
Because your tooth may have an exposed nerve, it may be extra sensitive to the temperature of the foods you eat or drink. Avoid drinking soda, alcohol, coffee, or cold beverages. Any food that is too chewy should be avoided, or foods that place too much pressure on the jaw, such as steak, candy, or gum should not be eaten. Avoid foods with seeds and foods with extra sugar, as the sugar can increase any problems with decay. The best foods to eat or drink include roasted veggies, soup, or smoothies. Chew the food in the areas of the mouth that will prevent you from placing too much pressure on your broken tooth.
Before you see us, we will advise you on a pain medication to take. These medicines include over-the-counter medications, such as naproxen or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen may also be recommended for pain relief. Do you have tooth pain? If so, see us immediately. Call us now to schedule a consultation.
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