Half my tooth broke off
Your teeth play a larger role in your life than you appreciate. Without consistent proper care, you can experience damaging decay, lose a tooth, and deal with preventable pain from serious tooth issues. Here are several causes of why a tooth broke off and then what you should do about it.
Bacteria and Decay
The primary cause of tooth loss is decay. This goes beyond a simple cavity that gets filled to more widespread decay that can enter and attack the root of the tooth, killing the root, which causes the tooth to break off or fall out. Tooth decay can be prevented and treated in separate ways. For prevention, you should first be brushing twice a day to remove persistent bacteria and any food particles to prevent decay and cavities. You should also schedule regular preventative exams with your dentist every six months to have your teeth cleaned, examined, and have any treatment necessary. Your dentist will suggest initiative-taking dental treatments from which you would benefit.
An Accident or Unexpected Injury
A frequent cause of a tooth breaking off is an accident or a sports related injury. This can mean simply falling, breaking a tooth off, which will cause damage to the root resulting in the tooth dying and breaking off. If you schedule a prompt visit to your dentist when the root is still alive, you can still reattach the broken tooth. In most cases, accidental tooth loss requires proper treatment to restore the tooth or to replace it (often with dental implants).
Gum Disease
Another common cause of tooth loss is gum disease. Your gums function as a foundation for your teeth, supporting them. If your gums have become unhealthy with some stage of gum disease, the gums will pull away and separate from the teeth, which allows bacteria, and other contaminants to have access to the root of a tooth, which is not protected with the hard enamel like the visible crown is. Now the tooth can become compromised, become loose, wiggly, break off or fall out because of poor gum health. A proactive way to prevent this type of tooth loss is to improve your gum health. Brush your teeth and gums thoroughly twice a day, floss between teeth at least once a day, and rinse with a mouthwash to help control and destroy harmful bacteria. Schedule regular visits to your dentist every six months to exam the health of your gums to keep them healthy to support your teeth.
Bone Loss
A broken tooth can also be the result of bone loss. As we age our bones lose density and mass which can lead to the atrophy and softening of your jawbone. If you lose bone integrity it will affect the health of your teeth. If your teeth become unstable and are not secure in your jawbone, they can break off and fall out. Preventing bone loss can be addressed with supplements that help to maintain the density of your bones. You should also see your dentist to identify when bone loss is becoming an issue and to catch it early.