If the tooth was broken all the way to the root, you might not feel any pain at this point because the nerve and canals have been completely exposed to the oral environment which is full of bacteria. However, it’s important to get in to see your dentist as soon as possible because although the tooth might not be painful right now, it could easily become a source of infection or an abscess in the future.
If your tooth broke all the way to the root, your dentist may be able to restore it using a dental crown. He or she will need to recontour the bone to uncover more of the tooth for this procedure which will likely involve a minor surgery. If the break was caused by a physical trauma, such as biting down on hard food or an object, your dentist will probably need to remove the broken portion of the tooth along with the root.
If the broken part of your tooth still has jagged edges, they may irritate and scratch the inside of your mouth especially when eating or brushing. This could also cause bleeding or pus to develop in your gums which is why it’s important to visit the dentist as soon as you can to have any broken pieces removed. To help control pain, you should avoid chewing with the affected tooth and use over-the-counter dental anesthetics like Orajel or Anbesol as directed. It’s also a good idea to avoid drinking acidic or sugary foods as much as possible and use a soft toothbrush and floss on the affected teeth to make sure that no food particles or plaque are trapped in the area.