A piece of my molar broke two weeks ago and it hurts when I chew. I can't afford a root canal or a crown right now, so I've been avoiding biting on that side. What can I do while I save up money? Is it really dangerous to leave it like that?
A broken tooth can get infected over time if you don't treat it, so even though you don't have money right now, it's worth looking for cheaper options or payment plans with a dentist. In the meantime, avoid chewing on that side, rinse with warm salt water after eating, and if it starts hurting a lot or your face swells up, that's a sign of infection and you need urgent care even if it's at a public clinic. Some dentists offer free consultations or discounts if you explain your situation, so you've got nothing to lose by asking.
It's not that waiting is impossible, but it's not something you should leave without attention indefinitely either because dental infections can get into the root and get pretty complicated. While you're saving up money, the best thing is to avoid biting hard on that side (like you're already doing), keep the area clean with good hygiene, and if the pain is really intense take common painkillers, but watch out because that just masks the symptom. If at any point you see the gum swelling up, turning red, or you get a fever, then you really do need to go to a dentist urgently even if it's a cheaper one or a university clinic where they charge less, because that's already more serious.
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