Broken Tooth and Infection
There are different levels of a chipped or broken tooth which will determine how severe it is and how it should be treated. Any chip or fracture should be addressed by your dentist as soon as possible though some are more urgent than others. Without proper treatment, a chipped tooth can eventually cause significant problems in the long run by worsening into a full-on fracture or a break, eventually leading to an infection in the tooth. Left untreated an infection in the tooth can travel into the jar and even the neck and head, causing more severe health problems.
What are the symptoms of a broken tooth?
Some symptoms in the experience if you suffer a broken tooth include pain, sensitivity to temperatures, and even swelling and then going to shoot around the affected tooth. Even if you do not experience pain, it is important to have your chipped tooth assessed by your dentist as soon as possible to avoid further damage and maintain oral health.
How do I know if I develop an infection in a broken tooth?
An infection can occur in a tooth if the fracture or broken portion is severe enough to expose the pulp of the tooth. Deep old is the portion of the tooth that contains blood vessels nerves and asthma causes pain in the tooth. When bacteria in the mouth moves into the fracture of a tooth, it can invade the pulp, causing infection.
If you experience severe pain or your tooth changes in color, or if your tooth becomes sensitive to hot foods and beverages, there is a good chance the pulp of the tooth has incurred damage. Your dentist can refer you to an endodontist for an evaluation and possible treatment via root canal therapy.
Root canal therapy is where the endodontist drills an access hole in the tooth and cleans out the infected pulp tissue from each canal of your tooth, relieving pain and potentially saving the tooth. After a root canal, your dentist will restore the tooth either with a filling, or if the fracture is major, with a dental crown.
What do I do if I cannot see my dentist right away?
To reduce discomfort if you cannot see your dentist on the same day, you can rinse your mouth with warm salt water and take an over-the-counter pain reliever. If you have a sharp edge on your tooth that is bothering you, dental wax, like the stuff kids use on their braces, can be purchased at any drugstore and you can put that over the sharp edge. Try to stick to soft foods and avoid chewing on the affected tooth until you can see your dentist.
Most dental offices reserve time in their schedule for just such emergencies so give the office a call to see what your options are. If it is after business hours or during the weekend, there will likely be an emergency number left on the office's voicemail for you to get in touch with your dentist.
Even if you are not experiencing any symptoms, it is important to see your dentist as soon as you can to avoid further damage and potentially developing an infection.