Broken tooth and infection
Leaving a broken tooth untreated can cause complicated problems as time progresses, so if you have a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth, contact your dentist right away and schedule an appointment. If your tooth is significantly traumatized, which can happen in cases of trauma or injury to the face, emergency medical attention is recommended. In more minor cases, a scheduled dental appointment is sufficient, but it’s important not to delay this dental visit. Failing to see a dentist to address a broken tooth could lead to infection, and, though rare, this infection could even spread into the head, neck, and bloodstream, possibly causing life-threatening complications.
If a broken or chipped tooth remains untreated, it becomes more susceptible to infection, and any infection that isn’t addressed can be expected to get worse as time progresses. Seeing a dentist promptly will help address any pain or sensitivity that’s present when a tooth breaks and can help prevent infection from moving into the dental pulp and possibly spreading into the adjacent areas and the bloodstream. Even if your chipped or broken tooth isn’t causing pain, infection can still set in if the pulp of the tooth becomes exposed, and, because the broken tooth is compromised, it can continue to deteriorate without treatment, which will increase the likelihood of the pulp becoming affected. If your broken tooth is painful or sensitive to extreme temperatures, or if the tooth changes color, the pulp may already be damaged. Your dentist can determine whether the tooth root is damaged and whether the tooth can be saved.
The structure of a tooth is made up of three different layers: the inner layer, or pulp, which is full of blood vessels and nerves and which keeps the tooth alive; the structural layer of dentin, a calcified, hard material that protects the dental pulp and provides structure to the tooth; and the outer layer of sturdy enamel that supports the dentin, protects the tooth, and provides the lustrous appearance of the tooth above the gum line. If the enamel fractures, a restorative dental procedure can repair the outer surface of the tooth and protect the dentin and dental pulp. If the enamel is not restored, the dentin is more prone to damage, and when the dentin is damaged, the pulp becomes susceptible to infection. Some dental fractures affect the dentin, which immediately threatens the health of the pulp and increases the likelihood of infection.
If your broken tooth has caused the dental pulp to become compromised, your dentist will likely recommend a root canal treatment to remove the infected pulp and seal off the tooth to prevent further infection. Minor breaks and fractures can often be repaired with a dental filling or dental bonding procedure, and larger fractures can be addressed with a dental crown. Each of these treatments aims to restore the structure of the tooth and protect the pulp from possible infection. If the tooth is too damaged, though, extraction may be required.
If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort while you wait to see your dentist, use caution when eating, avoiding the affected area as much as possible. Over-the-counter pain medication can provide relief, and patients can use dental wax or sugarless chewing gum to protect the mouth’s soft tissues from jagged edges where a tooth has chipped or broken. Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water can also be soothing and can help keep the oral cavity clean as you wait for dental treatment.