A broken or chipped tooth is a common problem. Located in the front or back of the mouth, it’s a serious issue that causes damage that goes beyond aesthetics. It can be caused by biting too hard on food or by trauma. When a tooth is chipped or broken, a visit to the dentist is essential. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers many methods for effectively treating such injuries.
It’s a condition that can cause pain, changes in chewing, infections, jaw deformities, and affect other teeth. It’s not just the smile that’s compromised.
Main causes of tooth breakage
Anyone who believes that a tooth breaks only through blows or falls is mistaken. Most of the time, the problem is caused by a silent enemy: tooth decay. Since cavities are not easily detected, the change is only noticed when the affected tooth breaks.
Other oral health problems are also associated with tooth breakage, including bruxism. In addition, the habit of biting nails and opening bottles with teeth is also a reason that leads to tooth loss.
Health complications that a broken tooth can cause
Far beyond affecting your smile and self-esteem, the absence of a piece or the loss of an entire tooth causes damage to your health.
Even a chipped tooth can compromise the dental arch. This is because teeth function like the gears of a machine, needing to work together for the proper chewing of food. Otherwise, other oral problems begin to appear. In addition to pain, increased sensitivity in the area and bleeding may also occur.
Chewing becomes compromised because the teeth no longer function in the same way, creating the possibility of damaging other teeth.
Not treating a broken tooth can lead to infection, the most common being a dental abscess. An abscess, in turn, can lead to bone destruction and tooth loss.
Another, even more serious, consequence of an infectious condition is systemic diseases linked to bacteria that enter the bloodstream. These bacteria can settle in the heart, causing comorbidities such as bacterial endocarditis.
I broke a tooth. What now?
First aid is essential to improve the effectiveness of treatment. Try to remain calm and follow the instructions.
The first step after losing a tooth or a fragment of it is to try to find it. Afterwards, it should be washed under running water and stored in a container soaked in a pH-neutral liquid, such as milk or saline solution.
Next, rinse your mouth with salt water or mouthwash to clean the area. If there is bleeding, applying a gauze compress for a few minutes will help stop it.
Applying cold compresses to the face, in the affected area, also helps reduce swelling, pain, and bleeding.
Secondly, it is essential to seek treatment from a dentist, as they are the professionals best suited to assess the extent of the damage and determine the most appropriate treatment.
If a tooth has fallen out completely, never try to put it back in place without professional help, as this increases the risk of infection and gum damage.
It is important that you do not leave a broken tooth, as it can cause serious health problems. If you have a broken tooth, contact us today, and we will get you on the road to a healthier and more beautiful smile!
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