Dealing with a Broken Tooth Root in the Gum Line
Many people experience tooth pain at some point in their lives, but one of the most uncomfortable and concerning dental emergencies is when a tooth root remains lodged beneath the gum line.
If you’ve recently experienced this problem, it’s important to understand what caused it and what steps should be taken next. Let’s take a look at how to handle a broken tooth root still in the gum line.
What Causes a Broken Tooth Root?
There are several reasons why your tooth root may have become stuck below the gum line. In many cases, an untreated cavity can cause decay that reaches down into the root of your tooth, leading to infection and breakage.
This can also happen from trauma or injury when teeth take a hard hit from an object or another person, they can easily fracture or crack at their roots, causing them to become dislodged from their sockets.
Treating a Broken Tooth Root
If you’ve been experiencing severe pain in your mouth for more than two days, it’s important that you visit your dentist as soon as possible to assess whether or not your tooth root is still intact within your gum line.
Depending on the severity of damage caused by the broken root, you may need one of several treatments including extraction, endodontic therapy (root canal), or apicoectomy (surgery to remove any remaining damaged tissue). Your dentist will discuss which procedure is best for you based on your individual needs.
Preventing Further Damage
Although dealing with a broken tooth root can be painful and annoying, there are steps you can take to prevent further damage or infection while waiting for treatment.
You should rinse with warm salt water multiple times throughout the day and avoid eating crunchy foods that could potentially aggravate your existing symptoms.
It’s also important that you call your dentist immediately if intense pain persists after 48 hours so they can provide further instructions for care.
Conclusion
Dealing with a broken tooth root still in the gum line isn’t easy, but getting help from trained professionals is essential for restoring optimal oral health and preventing further damage from occurring inside your mouth.
Whether through extraction, endodontic therapy (root canal), or apicoectomy (surgery) procedures, you’ll be able to get back on track with proper dental care and regular checkups with your dentist!
Regardless of what treatment plan is ultimately chosen by you and your dentist, taking swift action is key to ensuring long-term success.
