Half My Tooth Broke Off
Your teeth are an unappreciated yet quite invaluable asset. By not exercising good oral hygiene habits with your teeth, you can encounter damaging decay, risk losing teeth, and subject yourself to unnecessary pain with serious tooth problems. Here are some frequent and common reasons for a tooth breaking off, and then how to properly treat it.
Tooth Decay
The leading cause of tooth loss is tooth decay. This is more than just a small cavity getting filled, but a broader decay that infects the pulp chamber and the root of the tooth, fatally killing the tooth, which can result in the loosening, falling out completely, or breaking off the tooth. Tooth decay can be treated in several ways. To begin, you should brush your teeth twice daily to remove excessive bacteria and food debris to prevent infection and any decay from starting. You should complement your efforts by scheduling consistent, preventative dental exams every six months to have your teeth evaluated, thoroughly cleaned, as well as having any proactive treatment if necessary. Your dentist will suggest what dental treatment will benefit you.
Accidents
An unfortunate and common cause for a broken tooth is an accident. This might mean falling, breaking off a tooth, which then results in damage to the root, causing the tooth to die, loosen, or fall out. If you see your dentist promptly while the root is still alive, they might even be able to reattach the broken tooth. Quite often, an accidentally broken tooth or tooth loss requires treatment to either restore or to replace the tooth.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is another frequent cause of tooth loss. Your gums operate as the supporting foundation for your teeth. If the gums become infected and develop a stage of gum disease, the gums begin to sag away from your teeth, forming pockets, which allows damaging contaminants to now have easy access to the roots. If the gum becomes compromised, your teeth may become loose, fall out, or break off because of poor gum health. A proactive way to both treat and prevent this type of tooth loss is to focus on improving your gum health. Create the good habit of brushing twice a day, flossing between your teeth, and also add a mouthwash to help control and destroy unwanted harmful bacteria. Regular and consistent visits for dental checkups will make sure your gums remain healthy and will continue to support your teeth.
Bone Loss
Another regular cause for tooth loss, or a broken tooth, is simply from natural bone loss. As we all age, our bones lose mass and density, which might lead to the atrophy of our jawbones. If you do lose substantial bone mass, this may affect the overall health of your teeth. If your teeth are no longer stable and secure in a healthy and strong jawbone, they can begin to break off. To prevent or stymie jawbone loss, you can take supplements that help protect the integrity of your bones. Your dentist will also identify and address if bone loss is becoming a problem for you, catching the bone loss early, so it will not negatively affect the health of your teeth.