If you don’t look after your teeth, you risk developing more than just cavities and gum disease. While it’s easy to overlook a broken tooth or two, they can cause a variety of health problems that extend far beyond the mouth. Let’s explore the potential risks of neglected, broken teeth and how you can prevent them.
What are the health problems that broken teeth can cause?
Pain and discomfort
The most obvious symptom of a broken tooth is a pain when chewing or biting down on it. In some cases, the pain may become so severe that it affects other areas of your mouth, such as your jaw joints. This can cause headaches or even neck pain if left untreated for too long. Additionally, if the broken tooth exposes any nerve endings, it can lead to ongoing discomfort or sensitivity that may require professional treatment.
Infection
Neglected broken teeth are vulnerable to infection since bacteria can easily enter through cracks in the enamel and cause infection in the pulp or root canal. This type of infection is often accompanied by swelling and fever, as well as severe pain that may radiate throughout your face or neck area.
To avoid this complication, seek professional dental care immediately after noticing signs of a cracked tooth so that any potential infection can be dealt with quickly and effectively.
Jawbone deterioration
When a broken tooth isn’t treated right away, there’s also a risk that the jawbone around the affected area will start to deteriorate over time due to a lack of stimulation from chewing. This type of bone loss can be difficult to repair and may even require surgery in some cases. So if you’ve noticed any signs of a cracked tooth, make sure you seek professional help right away to reduce your risk of further damage.
Gum disease
Broken teeth can also increase your risk of developing gum disease due to weakened enamel leaving your gums vulnerable to bacteria and plaque build-up. Gum disease can increase your risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and even cancer. It’s important to treat any broken teeth right away in order to prevent gum disease from occurring in those areas.
Tooth loss
If you don’t repair a broken tooth in time, you could end up losing that tooth altogether. This can be especially problematic if you already have missing teeth because it will affect your ability to chew properly and could also lead to the misalignment of other teeth over time.
What are the signs that could indicate a broken tooth?
Knowing if you have a broken tooth can be difficult, but there are tell-tale signs that should immediately alert you. An abscess is one of the most frequent warning signs of tooth decay and poor oral health, and it typically indicates a broken tooth. If you experience a toothache, pain while eating or drinking, swelling in your gums, or a feeling of heaviness in the affected tooth; these are all indicative of a broken tooth. Ultimately, the best way to determine whether you have a dental abscess or broken tooth is to visit your dentist for an assessment and necessary treatment plan.
How to treat a broken tooth?
Step 1: See a professional dentist
The first step in treating a broken tooth is to head to your dentist for an evaluation. The dentist will be able to determine the extent of the damage and develop an appropriate treatment plan. They can answer any questions you have about treatment options and provide advice on how best to take care of your teeth in the future.
The treatment option recommended by your dentist will depend on the severity of the breakage and other factors such as decay or infection. Common treatments for broken teeth include:
- Bonding – Dental bonding involves using composite resin to restore the appearance of your damaged tooth. The resin will be applied directly to your damaged tooth and shaped into place before being cured with a special light. This treatment is ideal for minor breaks or chips.
- Crowns – Crowns are made from porcelain or metal and fitted over the top of your natural tooth in order to protect it from further damage and restore its shape and function, as well as its appearance. A dental crown is ideal for treating more severe breaks or fractures where other treatments may not be suitable.
- Root canals – If your tooth root has been damaged due to decay or trauma, then root canal therapy may be recommended by your dentist in order to save the affected tooth from having to be extracted altogether. During this procedure, any infected tissue will be removed from inside the affected tooth before it is sealed off with special filling material in order to prevent further damage or infection from occurring again in future.
- Extractions – In some cases, extraction may be necessary if there is extensive damage that cannot be repaired through bonding, crowns, or root canal therapy alone; however, this should only ever be done as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted first.
Step 2: Pain relief
If you experience pain or discomfort due to a broken tooth, there are several ways that you can temporarily relieve the pain until you can see your dentist. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce inflammation and pain associated with fractures or breaks in teeth. You should also use warm compresses over your face and avoid eating anything until after seeing your dentist, as this could make symptoms worse.
Prevent infection
It is also important to take steps to prevent infection around the affected area. This can be done by swishing warm salt water around your mouth for several minutes four times a day. This helps keep bacteria from entering into any open areas caused by the break in your tooth. Additionally, if you notice redness or swelling of your gums near the affected area, contact your dentist immediately, as this could indicate an infection that needs medical attention.
Step 3: Prevention is key!
It’s important to remember that prevention is key when it comes to avoiding broken teeth in the future! Practising good oral hygiene habits like flossing regularly, brushing twice daily, and avoiding foods that are hard or sticky are all great ways to maintain strong, healthy teeth and prevent fractures from occurring. Additionally, wearing mouthguards during sports activities can help protect your teeth from any impact that may occur during physical activity.
Get your broken teeth treated at Dapto Dentists!
At Dapto Dentists, we understand the importance of taking care of your teeth and are committed to helping you maintain good oral hygiene. We offer a wide range of services, such as tooth bonding, crowns, root canals, and extractions; all aimed at restoring and protecting your teeth from further damage. If you’re experiencing discomfort or pain due to a broken tooth, don’t hesitate to call us today at (02) 4044 5520 and get your smile back on track!
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Repairing a Chipped or Broken Tooth
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/repairing-a-chipped-or-broken-tooth
What to expect from root canal treatment
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/142780
