Broken Tooth and Infection
A broken tooth is frustrating for a lot of reasons. It can be very uncomfortable, making it difficult to bite and chew. It can also be quite painful. Along with the more apparent problems that come with having a broken tooth, there are other severe issues that can develop over time—namely an infection.
Broken Tooth and Infection
Having a small chip in your tooth often isn’t a big deal. While you may want to have it repaired for cosmetic reasons, if it’s small enough, it’s not an emergency. For a more severely broken tooth, though, there are some serious consequences that can occur if the break is not addressed.
Having a break in the tooth makes it easier for bacteria to get in and cause an infection, which can also lead to an abscess. If the tooth root gets infected, a root canal procedure will need to be performed to clear out the infection. The issue won’t stop there, though. If the broken tooth isn’t cleaned and restored, it can get bad enough that the tooth needs to be extracted.
In order to save the tooth and prevent the spread of infection, it’s important to have the tooth repaired as soon as possible.
Repairing a Damaged Tooth
There are a few ways in which a dentist can repair a damaged tooth, depending on the extent of the damage. For very minor forms of damage (like chips and small cracks), something as simple as dental bonding may be enough. If the crack or chip is more severe, the placement of a dental veneer may be a solution. For a very broken tooth, a dental crown may need to be placed. This replaces the entire crown of the tooth.
Your dentist will try to save as much of your healthy tooth as possible. The sooner you can get the broken tooth taken care of, the better the chances of minor restorative methods instead of major ones.
Is It an Emergency?
A broken tooth may or may not be an emergency. This depends on the extent of the damage. For a minor break, an appointment can be set for your dentist to examine the tooth and put together a treatment plan. If the tooth is very broken, is bleeding, and/or you are experiencing a lot of pain, you should visit an emergency dentist.
How Can I Reduce Discomfort?
If you have a broken tooth that is causing discomfort, a saltwater rinse can help. You may also consider taking over-the-counter pain medication. Until the tooth is repaired, avoid hard foods. If you are experiencing severe pain and bleeding, don’t wait for an appointment; go see an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
Contact Us Today
For a broken tooth, contact us today. If the tooth is causing you extreme discomfort, schedule an emergency appointment to have the problem addressed. If it’s found that there is an infection, your dentist will treat the infection, then repair the tooth.