What happens if you leave a broken tooth?
Anyone can experience a broken tooth in an instant and it can be very painful. I broken teeth can result from age, old dental restorations, grinding your teeth, eating hard food, and of course dental decay. Even if you are not experiencing any pain, it is very important to have any chip or crack in a tooth evaluated by your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the tooth and surrounding tissue.
A chipped or cracked tooth can lead to symptoms such as pain and swelling at the area, sensitivity, and rough edges. Not all broken teeth cause pain but in those that do, pain is typically the first symptom.
Symptoms of a Broken Tooth
You may experience sensitivity and swollen gum tissue or you may not have any symptoms at all but can feel a rough edge on your tooth. Over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol or Advil can help relieve discomfort from sensitivity and pain. A cold compress is helpful to soothe the area and minimize swelling.
In order to prevent further damage to the area, it is very important to see your dentist as soon as possible. When you see your dentist, they will be able to identify a cracked tooth with a simple exam. They will likely need to take an x-ray to make sure that there is no underlying bone loss and that the fracture does not extend past the gumline.
Bruxism is the unconscious clenching and/or grinding of the teeth that many of us do in our sleep. Bruxism can cause extensive wear on teeth as well as pain in the job upon waking. It can quickly lead to a cracked tooth but your dentist can make a night guard for you to sleep in which will greatly reduce symptoms of bruxism and protect your teeth from fracture. A night guard will also help relax your jaw while you sleep and prevent soreness when you wake up.
Treatmenting a Broken Tooth
Depending on the severity of the fracture, your dentist will determine how best to restore the area to give you the best chance of keeping your tooth. Fractures in a tooth will need to be fixed with either a composite filling or a porcelain crown to prevent further damage. In the case of a simple chip, your dentist may be able to simply smooth the rough edge as long as no other symptoms are present.
For patients that experienced a severe fracture, they may need to have a root canal treatment performed to remove the infected pump before the tooth can be restored. If a fracture is deep enough, it can eventually lead to the tooth splitting in half at which point the tooth will need to be extracted. If you do have to have your tooth extracted, your dentist will give you options to replace the tooth which may include a dental bridge or dental implant.
Regardless of the extent of a broken tooth, it is never a good idea to leave it on treated. A broken tooth can lead to more serious problems and an infection can spread down into the tooth and even to the jar and neck. This can affect your body in a negative way so if you have a broken tooth, it is important to have it evaluated and treated by your dentist as soon as possible. A broken tooth will only get worse over time so it is beneficial to your health and pocketbook to have it fixed immediately!