WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU LEAVE A BROKEN TOOTH?
Breaking a tooth can be an extremely painful and traumatic experience. While not as severe as gum disease, tooth loss, or oral cancer, having a fractured tooth is still a major problem that you should not postpone treatment for. Some patients may feel that they are able to manage the pain at home, but doing so will only cause the problem to get worse as further fracturing and infection may result from not immediately seeking medical treatment.
WHAT CAN CAUSE A TOOTH TO BREAK?
The dental surface is one of the hardest parts of the human body due to the enamel, but it is not unbreakable. Failing to maintain proper hygiene and daily care will put your teeth at greater risk for fractures, but even the healthiest teeth are not immune from damage.
One of the most common causes of tooth breakage is from bruxism, the often-unconscious clenching of the jaw and grinding of the teeth. Grinding slowly erodes the top surfaces of the teeth, weakening them and causing severe risk for breaking.
Large fillings or unfilled cavities leave you at greater risk of tooth fractures because they weaken the tooth’s structure. When an impact or other stress becomes too great for the structure to bear, the tooth will crack or fracture.
Biting down on hard objects or food is another major cause for fractured teeth. Foods like hard candy and popcorn can be very dangerous because of the force they return to the teeth when biting. Likewise, using teeth as tools is also dangerous. While it can be tempting to tear open packaging or bite a thread off of clothing with your teeth, the stresses of biting hard objects can cause teeth to fracture.
Another common cause of broken teeth is from impacts to the mouth or face. Whether from playing contact sports, experiencing a fall, or accidentally walking into a door, traumatic injuries to the face can result in tooth fractures and other complications. When you fall, sometimes the instinctual reaction to clench your jaw can cause stresses that break your teeth.
HOW CAN A BROKEN TOOTH BE TREATED AND MANAGED?
Often the first sign that a tooth is broken is severe and sharp pain while biting or chewing. While some dental issues can be treated at home, a fractured tooth must be treated by a dental professional. In the meantime, over the counter painkillers such as NSAIDs, numbing agents, or a salt-water swish can offer some temporary relief from pain.
The first step to fixing a broken tooth is having x-rays done. This allows your dentist to ascertain the extent of the problem and work with you to come up with an appropriate solution. In less severe cases, dental bonding or a filling may be enough to solve the problem. If the inner tissues of the tooth have been affected, a root canal may be necessary. In the most severe cases, tooth extraction and a subsequent dental implant will be necessary.