Anyone can experience a broken tooth, and it is important to have it taken care of as soon as possible. A broken tooth will not heal without intervention and will only get worse over time. When a tooth is compromised, bacteria and food particles can get into the tooth and cause an infection. It is entirely possible that you do not experience any discomfort or other symptoms with a broken tooth, but it is still vital to have the tooth repaired to avoid further and more severe damage.
What happens if you leave a broken tooth?
Letting any dental issue go untreated is never a good idea, but especially if you break a tooth. When a tooth breaks, the interior tissues of the tooth become susceptible to bacteria and food particles that can enter the tooth and cause dental decay, pain, and infection. If an infection develops, you may experience a dental abscess, which can be extremely painful and will need to be drained and treated with antibiotics.
Additionally, allowing any dental issue to worsen overtime will only lead to a more expensive bill when treatment is all set and done. Sometimes, a fracture in your tooth can be repaired with a simple filling, but if you leave it untreated because you do not feel any pain, you could eventually require a root canal, a crown, or you could even need to have the tooth extracted.
How do I know if I have a broken tooth?
Not all dental issues show signs or symptoms or even cause pain, which is why it is so important to see your dentist regularly. A lot of times, if you break a tooth, it is a result of an accident or other trauma, but tooth decay and poor oral hygiene can also lead to a tooth break.
If you suspect you have a broken tooth, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible. If you are not due for your regular preventative care appointment, visit your dentist for a quick exam and x-rays to diagnose any issues. If they do find a breaker fracture, they will discuss treatment options with you and put a temporary fix on the tooth to prevent it from further damage and then we'll schedule you to have the tooth properly restored.
Keeping up with good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist will greatly improve the overall health of your teeth and mouth. Leaving a broken tooth untreated can lead to much more severe damage and require more extensive treatment in order to repair the tooth. Tooth decay can have a domino effect, causing neighboring healthy teeth to become compromised as well.
As soon as you feel that a tooth has been cracked or broken, see your dentist as soon as possible, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms. It is much simpler to repair a broken tooth with a filling or dental crown than to leave it untreated and risk infection and possibly loss of the tooth.