Wisdom teeth, sometimes referred to as third molars, are always the last to develop. As a result, they rarely have enough room for growth.
They are usually impacted by the other teeth. Sometimes they develop complications and may even break. In the event that you break your wisdom teeth, you need to know how you can manage it until you can get to our clinic for a more comprehensive examination.
Managing Broken Wisdom Teeth
It is not advisable to stay for long with broken wisdom teeth. It can lead to bacterial infection and tooth decay. Here are ways in which you can manage broken wisdom teeth until you can get to our clinic.
Use Pain Medication To Keep The Pain In Check
Broken wisdom teeth can result in unbearable pain. You can call our office for recommendations on suitable pain relievers to use. It is important to note that pain medication should not be directly applied to the gums or teeth as it can result in a chemical burn.
Watch What You Eat
The nerves in your gums might get exposed due to the broken wisdom teeth. This can make your teeth and gums very sensitive to certain foods and temperatures. Besides hot or cold foods, you should also avoid acidic foods, sugary foods, foods that might get stuck in the cracks, and foods that might require too much chewing and put pressure on your teeth. You can also try chewing food on the other side of your mouth that isn’t affected.
Keep Your Mouth Clean
It is important to keep your mouth clean when you have broken wisdom teeth. After every meal, rinse your mouth with clean water to clear any food remnants from the affected area. You can also use salt water. Swish the water gently in your mouth before spitting it out.
Use Ice To Reduce Swelling
If the broken wisdom teeth result in a swollen jaw or face, you can use ice to reduce the swelling. Don’t put the ice in your mouth. Instead, wrap the ice cubes in a towel and hold it against your cheeks on the affected side. Use this in intervals of 15 minutes until you can get to our office.
These tips are to only help you manage broken wisdom teeth. They are not treatment. The sooner we attend to your broken wisdom teeth, the better for your oral health. Visit us today to have your broken wisdom teeth attended to.