Broken Tooth and Infection
If you have a tooth that is chipped, cracked, or broken, it is best if you contact your dentist as soon as possible. If you do not treat a damaged tooth in a reasonable time, you can experience significant problems in the future.
Here are some potential problems with your oral health you might encounter if you fail to seek necessary treatment for a damaged tooth.
Leaving Your Broken Tooth Untreated
By not pursuing proper professional dental treatment, the damaged tooth is easily susceptible to an infection that can progress and escalate with time. The infection can also progress to your neck or head, causing even more health problems. A broken tooth has even created life-threatening issues in documented situations.
There is no viable reason to risk these issues for something so simple. Schedule an appointment to meet with your dentist about a damaged tooth to help reduce any pain and minimize the possibility of the issue leading to more problems.
Why An Exam with Your Dentist is Necessary?
Even if you are experiencing no symptoms, have no pain or discomfort, still schedule an appointment. An evaluation of your broken tooth is important to protect and maintain your oral health. Failure to seek timely treatment with your dentist can result initially in pain. Removing the tooth may become a solution. Even though your broken tooth has not resulted in immediate pain, an infection can very easily develop and compromise both your oral health and even your overall health.
If your damaged tooth does indeed hurt, or changes in color and suddenly becomes sensitive to hot and cold, the center of the tooth, which is the pulp chamber, is becoming infected. You now need the advice of your trained dentist to identify if the root has become damaged or if that is a near future possibility.
The pulp is the vital part of each tooth that contains nerves and valuable blood vessels. Bacteria always has a presence in your mouth, day in and day out, and it always can find its way into the pulp and create an infection. It is easily possible for this living pulp tissue to die because of a broken tooth, allowing bacteria to enter.
Several Common Treatment Options
If your dentist has diagnosed an infection in the tooth’s pulp chamber, the treatment will be a root canal procedure to remove the infected tissue and then to seal the tooth. If identified early, a root canal might not be necessary. The correct treatment of treating your broken tooth is based on the extent of the damage and how quickly you sought help.
Minor cracks, chips, or even breaks can be simply repaired with either dental bonding or a dental filling. A dental crown can be used to protect a severely damaged tooth. If just a small piece of surface enamel is missing, a dental filling can be an easy repair solution. If there is a crack, your dentist can quickly use dental bonding to protect the tooth.
What To Do While Waiting to See Your Dentist
You can do a few things at home to reduce discomfort and pain before seeing your dentist. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, rinse your mouth with salt water, and cover the tooth with some sugar-free gum. Only eat softer foods and try not to bite down or chew until you see your dentist.