In the short term, broken teeth can constitute a dental emergency. Over the long term, your oral health is connected to your overall well-being. Untreated cracks, chips, and fractures in your teeth can cause problems beyond dental issues, affecting your overall health. In this article, we will answer the question ‘can broken teeth cause health problems and offer you some solutions. If you suspect you are in a dental emergency, please contact our emergency dentist right now for assistance: (02) 9158 6211.
What Causes Broken Teeth?
Sometimes a broken tooth could be evident to you. If you are hit in the mouth, feel pain or notice bleeding, you may visit an emergency dentist and get it treated. But, in the case of small cracks, chips, and fractures, it’s possible to have broken teeth and not be aware of it.
How Does Your Oral Health Affect Your Well-Being?
Small chips, fractures, and cracks in your tooth create openings for bacteria to enter. Over time, the bacteria can lead to an infection. When you have an infection in your tooth, it is called an abscess. You can develop an abscess at the tip of your tooth root, or in your gum. Infected material collects in a pocket that gets bigger and possibly more painful over time.
Some of the signs of an abscess include
- Very painful toothache
- Temperature sensitivity
- Pain or sensitivity when biting down
- Swollen or tender gums
- Swelling in your neck, face, and jaw
- Problems swallowing or breathing
- A high fever
Can Broken Teeth Cause Health Problems?
The short answer is: yes. If you have an untreated abscess, the infection can spread into your surrounding tissues and bone. While many abscesses are very painful and let you know you’re having a dental emergency, it’s also possible not to have any symptoms.
One of the more serious side effects of a dental abscess is that it can trigger sepsis. Sepsis is your body’s response to an infection, and it can result in organ and tissue failure, leading to catastrophic long-term health effects.
What Should You Do About Broken Teeth?
If you are aware of a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth, you must treat it as a dental emergency and seek help immediately. Your dentist will repair the damaged tooth to prevent infection and further loss of the tooth surface.
You should also pay attention to the potential signs and symptoms listed above. If you notice any pain, temperature sensitivity or swelling, take it as a sign that something could be wrong and have it checked as soon as possible.
Make sure you visit your dentist twice a year.
While you might not be able to see superficial cracks and chips, your dentist will be able to spot any small problems before they get bigger.
Sometimes dental fillings get loose and can allow bacteria to penetrate an old cavity, leading to an infection.
Another benefit of visiting your dentist on a regular basis is the fact that your fillings can be checked. Any loose or missing fillings can be repaired or replaced before they lead to other oral health problems.
Signs An Oral Health Problem Has Spread To Other Parts Of Your Body
Untreated broken teeth can cause health problems that may show some of these symptoms:
- General feelings of being unwell are common, such as extreme fatigue, unexplained or persistent headaches and dizziness.
- You may develop a fever, and experience skin flushing and chills.
- You could experience swelling in your face that affects your ability to open and close your mouth, breathe or swallow. You could also experience swollen lymph glands.
- You might be dehydrated, see darker urine and experience confusion.
- Another sign of a health problem caused by a dental infection is an increased heart rate or rate of breathing.
- Stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhoea may be present.
These are all signs of a medical or dental emergency, and you should seek urgent treatment.
How To Avoid Tooth Infections From Broken Teeth?
Make sure you manage your oral health by brushing and flossing twice a day. Be sure to visit your dentist twice a year so that any minor problems can be addressed before they turn into bigger health problems. Use fluoride toothpaste and reduce your intake of sugared foods and drinks.
If you notice any swelling, pain or discomfort in your mouth, or if you know you have broken teeth, contact your dentist right away. This can help you to avoid dental emergencies and unnecessary, costly complications.
Infections and abscesses do not self-resolve. Over time, they are likely to get worse and can compromise your health. You may need a course of antibiotics, and the abscess needs to be drained.
If you still have questions about ‘can broken teeth cause health problems’ or would like to make an appointment with our emergency dentist, please give us a call right away: (02) 9158 6211.
REFERENCES
What Are the Symptoms of Tooth Infection Spreading to Your Body?
https://www.healthline.com/health/symptoms-of-tooth-infection-spreading-to-body
Can Bad Teeth Make You Sick?
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/threats-to-dental-health/can-bad-teeth-make-you-sick
