Let's say you bit down on a piece of hard candy and cracked or even broke a small piece of your tooth. You were in a bit of pain at first, but now the discomfort is gone and you think you will be fine. The tooth doesn't look good, but you know you can fix it with cosmetic dentistry so you are in no rush to see your dentist. After all, if you feel okay, what's the worst that could happen?
Leaving a broken tooth untreated can lead to various complications.
Here's a quick breakdown.
One of the most common complications of a broken tooth is tooth decay. When a tooth is broken, the inner layer of the tooth becomes exposed. This can allow bacteria to enter the tooth, which can cause the tooth to decay. As the decay progresses, the tooth can become infected, and eventually, it may need to be removed.
Another potential complication of a broken tooth is an infection as bacteria enter the inner layers of the tooth and reach the pulp.
When the tooth gets infected, you will experience a variety of symptoms, including pain, swelling, and fever. In severe cases, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, which can be life-threatening.
If a broken tooth is not treated, it can eventually lead to tooth loss. As the tooth gets damaged by infection or decay, it may reach a point where the dentist simply cannot save it anymore and extraction is the only solution.
A missing tooth can severely affect your ability to eat, speak, and smile.
If the broken tooth is causing a lot of pain, it's important to seek treatment as soon as possible. A broken tooth can be a dental emergency and it's vital you address the issues right away.
The best way to prevent the complications of a broken tooth is to seek treatment as soon as possible. If you have a broken tooth, it's important to schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as you can and preferably look for emergency dentistry services.
The dentist will be able to determine the best course of treatment for your broken tooth. This may include filling the tooth, placing a crown, or even removing the tooth.
A minor crack or chip may not seem like a big deal. But, as you can see, if left untreated for too long it can affect your oral health in the long term.
So, don't wait a minute longer!
Get in touch with Bayview Dental, tell us what happened, and we will make sure to provide the best dental care based on your unique needs.
All you have to do is contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.