Did you bite down on a piece of hard candy or ice cube and cracked your tooth? It may probably hurt, but the pain will probably go away. Maybe you felt some discomfort when you drank a cold beverage or sipped your morning coffee, but you thought it was manageable. It might be tempting to ignore and leave a broken tooth untreated, but it’s wise if you don’t.
Leaving a broken tooth untreated can lead to tooth decay, tooth sensitivity, and ultimately, tooth loss. If you have broken a tooth, it’s important that you make an appointment with your Dallas dentist for proper evaluation and treatment.
So, what happens if you break a tooth?
According to the Harvard Medical School, the tooth enamel has no nerves or blood vessels. This is why the loss of enamel may cause little to no pain. A cracked tooth can range from a simple chip from the enamel’s exterior to complete tooth breakage, leaving the pulp and dentin exposed. If the latter is the case, and the dentin or pulp exposed to air, one may experience discomfort. Bacteria can infect the exposed area, causing discoloration, more pain, and sensitivity to changes in temperature.
Here are the symptoms of a broken tooth that needs dental treatment:
- Swollen gums
- Pain when chewing or eating
- Sensitive teeth
- Pain that comes and goes
- General feeling of discomfort in the mouth
Here are the dangers of leaving a broken tooth untreated:
- Pressure sensitivity
- You could cut your tongue
- Temperature sensitivity
- Bacteria can infect the exposed area
- Pain in the area
- The tooth may break altogether
Needless to say, if you have a cracked or broken tooth, it’s best to see your Dallas dentist so that appropriate treatment can be administered. The treatment will depend on the extent of the damage. For instance, an infected dental pulp becomes infected and eventually dies. It must be replaced with a filling using a root canal procedure. The damage may not seem severe at first, but it’s best to prevent long-term problems from happening. Feel free to get in touch with us at 214-396-7876 to find more about how to best deal with a broken tooth!
Sources:
“When teeth get damaged,” Harvard Medical School, https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/when-teeth-get-damaged
“How do you know if you have a cracked tooth?” Medical News Today, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322015
