Broken Tooth and Infection
If you have a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, you should contact your dentist as soon as possible. Not treating a damaged tooth in a timely manner can cause significant problems in the near future.
Here are a few possible issues if you fail to seek proper treatment for a damaged tooth which can hinder your oral health.
Leaving a Broken Tooth Untreated
Without proper professional treatment, the damaged tooth is susceptible to an infection that can get worse with time. The infection can then move to your neck and head, causing an assortment of health problems. It is even possible for a broken tooth to create a life-threatening outcome.
There is no reason to put yourself in harm’s way. Meet with your dentist after damaging your tooth to help reduce the pain, ensuring the issue does not lead to additional problems.
Why Visiting with Your Dentist is Necessary?
Even if you have no symptoms, minor symptoms, or have considerable pain, schedule an appointment. An evaluation of broken tooth is necessary to protect and preserve your oral health. The failure to obtain timely treatment with your dentist can cause the pain to linger. Removing the tooth could become the solution.
While your broken tooth might not result in immediate pain, an infection can easily set in and compromise your oral health as well as your overall health.If the damaged tooth hurts, changes in color or suddenly proves sensitive to hot or cold, the pulp center of the tooth might becoming infected. You need the expertise of your dentist to determine if the root has any damage or if that is a possibility.
The pulp is the part of the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves. Bacteria is always present in your mouth and it always has the potential to move to the pulp and cause an infection. It is possible for the living pulp tissue to die because of a broken tooth.
Treatment Options
If you have been diagnosed with an infection in the pulp chamber, you will need a root canal procedure to eliminate the infected tissue and to seal the tooth. In some cases, a root canal may not be necessary. The treatment of repairing the broken tooth hinges on the extent of the damage to the tooth and how quickly you sought out help.
Minor chips, cracks, or even breaks can be easily repaired with dental bonding or a dental filling. A dental crown will most likely be necessary for a more severely damaged tooth. If just a small portion of the enamel is missing, a dental filling can be an easy repair option. If there is a crack in the tooth, then your dentist can use dental bonding to repair and protect the tooth.
What To Do Until You Can Meet with the Dentist
You can do a few things on your own to reduce discomfort before meeting with your dentist. Rinse your mouth with salt water, take an over-the-counter pain reliever and cover the damaged tooth with some sugar-free gum. Restrict your diet to softer foods and try not to bite down until you meet with your dentist.