Your third molars might come in late, but like the rest of your teeth, they are susceptible to decay and damage. So if you have a broken wisdom tooth, it could be due to a number of factors. You might panic after finding that your wisdom tooth is cracked. However, your dentist can help you restore your dental health issues. Hence, the first thing you should do is drop by your dentist’s office for treatment.
In this blog, we’ll discuss why your third molar has broken. We will also discuss the treatment options and what you should do when this happens.
Why Do I Have a Broken Wisdom Tooth?
A broken wisdom tooth could be a result of factors like decay and its angle. It’s possible that there’s not enough space in your mouth for the third molar, and another tooth is occupying the spot. As a result, your wisdom tooth grows at an odd angle and even cracks as it erupts.
Thus, in short, your wisdom tooth might break due to the following reasons:
The neighboring molar is already occupying the spot where your wisdom tooth is erupting
Your wisdom tooth is growing at an odd angle
The third molar was damaged before its eruption
You have an infected wisdom tooth
Bacteria build-up leads to decay in your wisdom tooth
Signs You Have a Wisdom Tooth Infection
A chipped or cracked wisdom tooth is more vulnerable to decay and infection. Due to their location, it’s hard to clean wisdom teeth properly. This gives bacteria and food debris time to build up around the molar. Thus, it can be dangerous if you have a cracked wisdom tooth.
You’ll need immediate dental attention to ensure no additional damage takes place. This is because a hole or crack will allow bacteria and decay to invade your wisdom tooth. As a result, a wisdom tooth cavity might develop. Since it will be almost impossible to clean the crack, an infection could occur. You’ll notice the following signs if you have a wisdom tooth infection:
- Swollen gums around the wisdom tooth
- Throbbing pain in your third molar
- Fever
If not treated on time, an infection can spread to other areas of your body and cause health issues.
How Will My Dentist Treat the Broken Wisdom Tooth?
Your dentist can help you resolve any tooth-related issues. Therefore, go to your nearby dental office when you experience discomfort. The dentist might take dental x-rays to determine the treatment plan. Moreover, the treatment will depend on factors like:
- The position of your wisdom tooth before it was broken
- The reason why your third molar broke
- The extent of damage
They might suggest oral medications like antibiotics and pain relievers. Usually, a wisdom tooth extraction is required when the molar is severely damaged. Your oral surgeon will assess your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
What Should I Do?
If your wisdom tooth is broken, it could be because of decay, infection, damage, and more. Whatever the cause, visit your dentist immediately to eliminate the issue before more health problems arise. Our Pasadena Oral Surgery team is always here to make your oral health problems go away. You can dial (281) 299 0053 to schedule an appointment with our experts. Our dental office is located at Fairmont Parkway Suite 102, Pasadena, Texas 77505.