Why You Shouldn't Ignore a Broken Tooth

Broken teeth are one of the most common causes of tooth loss. Tooth pain, including sudden sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink, pain after eating sweets, and discomfort while chewing or biting are all indications you could be dealing with a broken tooth. 

Your teeth can crack or break for several reasons. And if it happens to you, the best thing to do is to get treatment as soon as your symptoms start. Without treatment, a cracked or broken tooth can cause harm to your gums and worse. Let’s look at some causes for a broken tooth and what can happen with and without treatment.

Residents of Mamaroneck, New York, and Stamford, Connecticut, experiencing pain from a broken tooth or other dental issues can get relief with Dr. Gennadiy Kravets and the caring staff at All Bright Dental. The team’s 15 years of helping people with complex dental issues are well suited for treating broken teeth and many other dental issues.

Common causes for a broken tooth

Cracks in teeth come in different lengths, depths, and locations. Some cracks are minor and may require no treatment at all, while others can split the surface root of the tooth. There are many why teeth crack and break, including:

• Teeth grinding
• Large fillings that weaken the tooth
• Eating hard foods like ice, nuts, or hard candy
• Injuries that cause damage to the mouth
• Rapid temperature changes during meals, like eating something hot and drinking something cold right after
• Age (cracks in your teeth often start in your 50s)
• Gum disease

Complications of an untreated broken tooth

While teeth are durable, they don’t heal on their own when damaged. A broken tooth is irritating and painful, and, left untreated, it can also become infected or abscess. An abscess is a bacterial dental infection that causes pus. It can spread into the gums, bone, and affect other areas of the head and neck over time. 

With an abscess, you will experience swollen gums, bad breath, tender glands in your necks, pain while chewing, and possibly fever.

If you have a weakened immune system, the risk of the infection spreading to other parts of the body increases. An untreated abscess can also lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition that can cause organ problems and death. 

Methods of treatment

Broken teeth are dental emergencies. Treatment for a broken tooth varies depending on the severity and location of the crack. Common treatments include: 

• Bonding: a plastic resin used to fill the crack
• Crown: a dental prosthetic used to fit over the damaged tooth
• Root canal: removal of the damaged pulp to prevent infection or further weakening
• Extraction: removal of the tooth if the damage is too extensive

To avoid cracking and breaking teeth in the future, brush regularly, floss daily, and avoid chewing on hard foods. Also, make sure to schedule regular visits to All Bright Dental. 

Using a mouthguard can protect your teeth while playing sports or keep you from grinding your teeth while sleeping. 

A broken tooth is a dental emergency. If you experience one, be sure to make an appointment with Dr. Kravets and All Bright Dental today for treatment.