If you just cracked, chipped, or broken a tooth, it is wise to contact your dentist as soon as possible. By not treating a damaged tooth in a timely manner it might cause significant problems in your near future.
Here are some common issues that can be the result of you failing to seek prompt and proper treatment for a damaged tooth and the additional oral health complications.
Leaving a Broken Tooth Untreated
By choosing to avoid proper professional treatment, your damaged tooth is easily vulnerable to an infection that will only get worse. This painless infection can then drift into your neck and head, causing an assortment of health problems. It is even possible for a broken tooth to create a life-threatening reverberation.
There is absolutely no reason to put yourself in this predicament. Simply make an appointment with your dentist after breaking your tooth to stop the problem from leading to additional issues.
Why Visiting with Your Dentist is Necessary?
Even if you have experienced no symptoms of any kind, or have any noticeable pain, schedule an examination. An evaluation of a broken tooth is critical to protect and preserve your oral health. By avoiding any timely treatment with your dentist, it can result in pain escalating. Extracting the damaged tooth could become the best solution. Even though your broken tooth currently does not generate any immediate pain, an infection can easily set in and compromise your health.
If your damaged tooth does hurts, or changes in color, or suddenly is sensitive to hot or cold, the pulp center of the tooth is most likely infected. Your dentist needs to identify and determine if the root has become infected.
The pulp makes up the center of the tooth and is full of nerves and blood vessels. Bacteria has a constant presence in your mouth, every day, and there is always the potential to find its way to the pulp and start an infection. It is common for the pulp tissue to die because of a broken tooth.
Treatment Options for A Broken Tooth
If your examination has diagnosed an infection in the pulp chamber, root canal therapy is necessary to remove the infected tissue and to seal up the tooth. Sometimes a root canal may not be necessary. The treatment for repairing your broken tooth will be based on the amount of damage to the tooth and how soon you sought out help.
Minor cracks, chips, or even breaks can be repaired quickly with either composite dental bonding or a dental filling. A dental crown might be necessary for a severely damaged tooth. If just a limited amount of enamel is missing, a dental filling is an easy restoration. If there is a crack your dentist can apply, shape, and sculpt dental bonding to protect the tooth.
What To Do Until You Can Meet with the Dentist
There are a few things you can do to reduce discomfort before seeing your dentist. First take an over-the-counter pain reliever, try rinsing your mouth with salt water, and then cover the damaged tooth with sugar-free gum. Eat just softer foods and try not to bite down on the tooth until you see your dentist.