Half My Tooth Broke Off

Your teeth are an under-appreciated part of your body. Without your proper tooth care, you can lose teeth, experience damaging decay, and have to deal with the possible pain of serious tooth issues. Here are a few causes why you might have a tooth break off and what you can do about it.

Decay

The leading cause of any tooth loss is tooth decay. This includes more than a simple cavity that gets filled but also more widespread decay that will attack the root of the tooth, killing the root and causing the tooth to loosen, fall out or break off. Tooth decay can be treated in a few different ways. First, you should be brushing twice a day to remove bacteria and food debris from your teeth to prevent cavities and decay. You should also be scheduling regular exams with your dentist twice a year to have your teeth cleaned and examined as well as having them treated when necessary. Your dentist will suggest what dental treatment you need.

Accidents

A frequent and common cause of a tooth breaking off is an accident. This means falling, breaking teeth, causing damage to the root which then results in the tooth dying and the tooth falling out or half the tooth breaking off. If you get to your dentist quickly when the root is still alive, you may be able to reattach the broken tooth. In many cases, accidental tooth loss will require some sort of treatment to either restore the tooth or to place a new one.

Gum Disease

Another major cause of tooth loss is gum disease. Your gums work as a supporting foundation for your teeth. If your gums are unhealthy and have gum disease like gingivitis, the gums can separate from the teeth allowing bacteria, air, and other contaminants to have access to the root of a tooth. If the gum is compromised your teeth, they can become loose, wiggly, fall out or break off because of poor gum health. A proactive way to prevent or treat this type of tooth loss is to improve the health of your gums. Take the time to brush thoroughly twice a day, use dental floss between teeth, and rinse with a mouthwash daily to help control and destroy harmful bacteria. You should also schedule regular visits to your dentist to check on the health of your gums and to help make sure they are healthy and will support your teeth.

Bone Loss

Another reason you can experience tooth loss, or a broken tooth is due to bone loss. As we age our bones lose mass and density which can lead to the softening or atrophy of your jawbone. If you lose a lot of bone density this will affect the overall health of your teeth. If your teeth are not stable and secure in a strong jawbone, they can begin to fall out or can break off. A way to prevent bone loss is to take supplements that help to protect the integrity and density of your bones. You will also need to see your dentist to be able to identify when bone loss is becoming an issue and to catch bone loss early so it does not affect the overall health of your teeth.

Broken Tooth and Infection