Enamel is considered one of the strongest tissues in the body. It is even stronger than bone, but still, it can fracture like any other hard tissue of the body.
With time enamel may become weak because of acid erosion and may chip off because of wear and tear. Many people become extremely worried about their chip teeth and may ask about post-common complications, such as can a chipped tooth get infected.
If you also want to know about the complications of chip teeth, then keep on reading.
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Can A Chipped Tooth Get Infected?
The simple answer is yes. A chipped tooth can easily get infected because of the open portal for bacteria.
Chip tooth itself is not much of a dangerous complication, but the after-effects of a chipped tooth, such as tooth decay and tooth infection, are much more dangerous.
Many people want to know the causes of chip teeth and how they can prevent the infection and other symptoms afterward. You can read our guide if you’re confused between Parodontax vs Sensodyne.
If you also have these questions in mind, then make sure to take a deep look at this article because here we are going to take a look at the causes, prevention, and treatment plan of an infected, chipped tooth.
Causes Of Chipped Teeth
There are many causes of chip tooth, but most commonly, there are four main causes which we will discuss here, and how you can prevent them.
Tooth Decay
It is one of the most common reasons which can lead to chip teeth due to the continuously acidic environment of the mouth. The enamel starts to erode slowly and becomes weak with time. Also, the bacteria present in the mouth produce acids that erode the enamel resulting in enamel erosion and cavities.
Enamel erosion can weaken a tooth, and such a tooth can easily chip off even during normal eating or biting procedure.
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Trauma To Jaw
Another common cause of chipped teeth is sudden trauma to the jaw; a hard blow to the face or a car accident can result in Chipped enamel.
If the trauma is severe, such as football hitting your jaw, the crack can also extend to roots.
Abnormal Bite
Many people nowadays suffer from bite anomalies in which their jaw is not appropriately positioned. Such people have to deal with greater forces than people with normal jaws, which results in the chipping of enamel.
Bad Dietary And Oral Care Habits
Many bad dietary and oral care habits can result in the chipping of enamel. Some of the most common habits are nail-biting, eating ice, and excessive soda intake.
What Is A Tooth Infection?
Oral infection or dental abscess is a pocket of pus that is formed because of a bacterial attack. It can occur in different places in the mouth but always involves teeth and associated structures. There are three main types of infections, and all can occur because of a chipped tooth. Furthermore, if your Oral-B toothbrush is not charging you can read our guide.
Gingival Abscess
This infection usually develops on the gums because of poor oral hygiene and enamel erosion. It mostly doesn’t affect the sporting structures.
Periapical Abscess
This type of infection mostly occurs at the tip of the root. A periapical abscess is formed when the crack penetrates through the root. Such cracks open the pathway for bacteria, penetrating deep into the pulp through the fracture. The pulp is the inner part of the tooth which contains sensory nerve endings and blood vessels.
Bacteria easily digest pulp and penetrate roots.
Periodontal Abscess
This type of infection affects the supporting structures of the teeth, which are periodontal fibers. This infection most commonly results from gum disease but can also be because of cracked teeth.
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After How Much Time Does Crack Tooth Becomes Infected?
Almost 90% of cracked teeth become infected if not treated on time, but still, there is no specific time frame that can indicate when your cracked tooth will become infected. Sometimes the cracked teeth can become infected immediately after the injury, while it may never develop an infection in other cases.
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However, it is always recommended to visit your dentist as soon as possible because the longer you wait, the longer the chance of the bacteria penetrating the cracked tooth.
If you are not visiting your dentist immediately, then with time, your cracked truth will become fractured, and you will be at greater risk of developing an infection, so it is always advised to take care of your chipped tooth as soon as possible.
How To Detect An Infected Chipped Teeth?
Many signs in symptoms can indicate that your broken tooth is infected. If you notice any signs and symptoms, immediately visit your dentist.
- Dentine hypersensitivity
- Toothache
- Swollen oral structure
- Pain in eating and drinking
- Gum irritation
- Gingivitis
- Cuts on mouth
Prevention is always better than care, so make sure to visit your dentist immediately because the later you visit, the more the risk of tooth loss.
Treatment Plan For Cracked Teeth
There are multiple treatment options for broken teeth depending upon the severity of the cracked tooth and the time you visit the dentist. If you are visiting your dentist immediately, you may not have to go for dental crowns or veneers, and composite or amalgam filling will work for you. In another case, you may have to go for dental crowns, veneers, Lumineers, inlays, or Onlays.
Composite Bonding
It is one of the easiest and most basic methods to cover the cracked or fractured truth. It can easily repair your fractured tooth without further tooth loss and is also aesthetic. On the other hand, if you choose an amalgam filling, then your tooth structure will be compromised a little
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is similar to the tooth and is placed like a cap on the occlusal surface of the tooth. It helps restore appearance and function and is used when a tooth can’t be restored with composite.
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Root Canals
If your dentist suggests a crown instead of a composite, in almost 90% of the cases, you have to go for root canal treatment because the infection has penetrated deep into the root.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is used when the cracked tooth can’t be restored with the help of composite filling and crown. It mostly happens when the crack has extended into the gum line.
FAQs
Is it ok to leave a chipped tooth untreated?
No, it is not ok to leave chipped teeth untreated under any condition because it can lead to infection and excessive damage to tooth anatomy.
Is there a need to take antibiotics for chipped teeth?
Yes, you may need antibiotics if you have developed an infection; otherwise, there is no need for antibiotics.
Conclusion
Most of the time, people ignore tiny chips in their teeth; with time, the chips convert into fractures opening the portal for bacteria. Bacteria penetrate deeper into the tissue, and the person starts experiencing signs and symptoms of infection.
Such people come to the dentist’s office with questions like, can a chipped tooth get infected? If you also have a chipped tooth and the same question, this article is the perfect guide for you.
