If something happened that suddenly left one of your teeth in pain, there is a chance the event may have caused your tooth to crack. Cracks in teeth are serious issues that require treatment from a dentist quickly. Here are several things you should understand if you think you may have a cracked tooth.
How to Know if Your Tooth Is Cracked
There are times when cracks in teeth are very obvious and easy to see simply by looking at the teeth, but there are also times when cracks are very small and are impossible to see. If a tooth is cracked, you may be experiencing a few common symptoms, though, and these can include the following:
These are three of the most common symptoms that can appear from a cracked tooth. If you are experiencing these symptoms or others, it's important for you to visit a dentist quickly.
How a Cracked Tooth Can Lead to Other Issues
Teeth are strong but cracks can happen, and when they do they need to be fixed. When a crack is left unaddressed and untreated, it can lead to major problems in your mouth. Cracks allow bacteria to seep inside teeth, and this can lead to infections. Each tooth you have contains roots, which contain nerves. These nerves help you feel cold and hot things in your mouth. If bacteria reaches the nerves, an infection can form. This can lead to extreme pain, and it may require getting a root canal to fix the problem. If you do not receive treatment for this, you could risk losing the tooth.
How Your Dentist Can Fix It
The first thing the dentist will do is look at the tooth and take X-rays. X-rays are very helpful for seeing the depth and severity of the issue, and the X-rays will help the dentist determine what the best treatment would be for the tooth. Here are the most common ways cracked teeth are fixed:
If neither of these options will work for the tooth, it may need to be extracted. Dentists will not recommend extracting a tooth unless they cannot repair it. If your tooth must be extracted, the dentist will want to replace it so there is not a gap there. Replacing it will involve getting either a dental implant or a bridge. If you seek treatment quickly for your cracked tooth, there is a better chance the dentist will be able to save it.
Tooth problems can happen to anyone at any time, but you can always call a dentist for help. To learn more, contact a local dentist today and click this link.
Share19 December 2016
After dealing with a few root canals, I realized that it was time to take my dental hygiene a more seriously. I talked with my dentist about what I could do differently, and he was full of great suggestions that would help. He walked me through different ways to brush, floss, and take care of tartar buildup, and it was really amazing to see the difference that it made. I also started taking a fluoride supplement to strengthen my enamel. When I made it to my next appointment, my dentist was blown away with the improvement. This blog is all about improving your dental appointments by keeping your teeth healthier.