Is a broken tooth an emergency?
A broken tooth is not necessarily an emergency, but it should not be left untreated for very long. However, it may qualify as an emergency if
* The tooth causes bleeding of your face or gums
* The tooth causes you immense pain
* The area becomes infected
* You experience a fever, or change in your jaw structure
If you feel your broken tooth may be a dental emergency, call 911 or make an emergency dentist appointment immediately.
A broken tooth is definitely an urgent matter either way. You will want to take preemptive action to replace the tooth promptly. The longer you live with a broken or missing teeth, the greater your chance to lose more teeth, get an infection in the area, or damage your jaw.
What causes a broken tooth?
A broken tooth is usually the result of dental decay. Decay can usually be traced back to poor dental hygiene. Without proper care of your gums and teeth, food particles degrade and become areas of concentrated bacteria. The bacteria grows and begins to attack healthy tissues, leading to bone loss and gum infections.
Infections, disease, and trauma are the primary causes of tooth loss or breaking. Infections and disease can typically be prevented through proper care and hygiene routines. Frequent flossing in between teeth reduces bacteria’s access to the gumline. Brushing removes plaque and foodstuffs from the surface of your teeth, and promotes gum and enamel growth.
Why to replace a broken tooth immediately
Broken teeth can leave sharp fragments of bone behind. If these shards are swallowed they can damage your gastrointestinal lining. The remaining tooth structure can also cut your tongue or gums, which causes bleeding and provides another space for bacteria to infect.
Broken or missing teeth leave areas of your gums exposed. Open areas in your gums expose easy access for bacteria and food particles in your mouth to enter the gumline. Once the bacteria is under your gums, it can attack the supporting jawbone and gum tissues. Your gums provide a valuable support and blood flow to your mouth. When bacteria attack these support structures, they grow and inflame the support tissues; causing bleeding and pus-like discharge.
Missing teeth lead to more missing teeth
Replacing missing teeth secures the area from infection, to a large degree. It also provides a necessary spacing support when you are chewing, eating, and speaking. When you use your jaw to chew, swallow, and speak, you place ergonomic force onto different spaces of your jaw. The teeth usually protect the jaw from this displaced force, but with missing or broken teeth these areas are exposed. Over time the space around broken or missing teeth expand and jaw bone loss will occur.
Replacing broken teeth
See a Dentist for consultation on your broken or missing teeth. Begin with comprehensive x rays and a thorough examination. Your dentist will be able to diagnose the total health of your teeth, gums, and jaw. They can make predictions for potential dental health risks in the future, and they can recommend the best tooth replacement options for your health.
Be sure to ask about replacement options like implants, veneers, crowns, and bridges.