The desire for a quick solution to a broken tooth or lost filling is understandable, but searching for “what glue can I use on my teeth” poses a serious health concern. Attempting a fix with non-dental household adhesives carries significant risks to oral and overall health. A dental problem requires a material specifically engineered for the unique, wet, and high-stress environment of the mouth. This article explores the dangers of using non-approved products and identifies the proper, safe materials intended for temporary use until professional dental care can be received.
Why Household Adhesives Are Never Safe
Household glues, such as Super Glue (primarily composed of cyanoacrylate), should never be used inside the mouth. These products contain chemicals, like formaldehyde and acetic acid, that are not safe for ingestion or prolonged contact with sensitive oral tissues. While medical-grade cyanoacrylates exist, the versions sold for home use are cytotoxic, meaning they can damage or kill living cells upon contact.
The hardening process of cyanoacrylate is exothermic, meaning it releases heat. Applying this to an exposed tooth or gum tissue can cause a chemical burn or irritation. Furthermore, these glues are not designed to bond reliably in the constant moisture and mechanical stress of the mouth, often leading to mechanical failure and the ingestion of broken pieces of glue.
Using a non-dental adhesive creates a seal over a damaged area, trapping existing bacteria inside the tooth structure. This accelerates decay and increases the risk of a severe infection or abscess developing below the glue layer. A failed household fix results in damage to the remaining tooth structure, making the eventual professional repair more complicated and extensive.
Approved Temporary Dental Repair Materials
Safe, over-the-counter options are available that are specifically designed to stabilize a dental situation until a dentist can be seen. Temporary dental filling kits typically contain biocompatible materials based on zinc oxide, zinc phosphate, or calcium sulfate. These compounds provide a protective, short-term seal over a lost filling or small cavity.
These temporary materials are softer than permanent fillings, allowing a dentist to remove them easily during the follow-up appointment. For a loose crown, the appropriate temporary solution is a specially formulated temporary dental cement or denture adhesive. These products hold the crown loosely enough to be removed without damaging the underlying tooth.
Dental wax, often used by individuals with braces, serves a useful temporary purpose. This soft wax can be molded over a sharp edge of a broken tooth or a protruding wire to prevent irritation to the cheek or tongue. Unlike cement kits, dental wax does not provide a bacterial seal or structural support, but it offers immediate relief from soft tissue trauma.
Proper Application and Duration Limits
The correct application of approved temporary materials focuses on sealing and protecting the tooth, not restoring its full function. Before applying any temporary filling material, the area must be thoroughly cleaned of debris or food particles. The manufacturer’s instructions, which typically involve mixing a paste or rolling a small amount of pre-mixed material, must be followed precisely.
For a lost crown, the inside of the crown and the tooth stub should be cleaned. Only a minimal amount of temporary cement should be placed inside the crown before gently seating it back onto the tooth. It is important to check the bite immediately and remove any excess material that prevents the teeth from closing comfortably.
These temporary fixes are designed to last a matter of hours or days and should never be considered a long-term solution. While some temporary fillings can last up to a few weeks, the material disintegrates slowly and does not restore the tooth’s structural integrity. Individuals must avoid chewing hard, sticky, or crunchy foods on the affected side to prevent dislodging the material or causing further tooth fracture.
When Professional Dental Care Is Mandatory
A temporary fix is merely a stopgap measure, and a dental appointment must be scheduled immediately after stabilizing the situation. Certain symptoms indicate a dental emergency that requires immediate professional intervention rather than a home repair. Severe, throbbing pain that lingers after exposure to hot or cold temperatures suggests inflammation or potential infection of the dental pulp.
Visible signs of infection, such as swelling around the gums or face, the presence of pus, or a persistent foul taste, mean the bacteria have progressed beyond the tooth. If a broken tooth reveals a reddish or pinkish spot, this indicates exposure of the pulp, which contains the nerves and blood vessels. An exposed pulp is highly vulnerable to bacterial invasion, which can lead to a serious infection if left untreated.
Trauma that causes a large piece of a tooth to break off or results in uncontrolled bleeding requires urgent care. The goal of any safe temporary measure is simply to prevent further damage and alleviate discomfort until the dentist can perform a permanent repair. Delaying professional treatment risks the loss of the tooth and the spread of infection to other parts of the body.