There are many reasons why one of your teeth may get cracked. You might bite down on something hard. You might suffer some kind of trauma to the face. You might grind your teeth at night without even knowing it. Whatever the cause, cracked teeth aren’t something you can ignore. In fact, they are a common cause of tooth loss.
Your teeth are covered in a hard outer layer of enamel. When the tooth is cracked, the soft inner layers are exposed, and that potentially includes the vulnerable inner pulp. Plaque and bacteria can quickly invade, so decay and infection are both common complications of cracked teeth.
With that in mind, you should learn the symptoms and visit your dentist as soon as you notice them.
Pain
The most obvious symptom of a cracked tooth is pain – it’s also one of the most common. If one of your teeth is cracked, you may experience a relatively intense shooting pain when you bite down. Pain should be particularly intense when you release the bite. If you feel intense shooting pain in your teeth, look for emergency dentists near you and get yourself checked out immediately to prevent further damage. Otherwise, the pain will not subside because chewing will cause the hard tissues of the broken tooth to move against each other, which in turn irritates the pulp. Eventually, the pulp will be so damaged that it is unable to heal itself. When the pulp dies, the tooth will be lost.
Sensitivity
Pain is a common symptom of a cracked tooth, but it’s important to note that some cracked teeth may not cause severe discomfort. Instead of experiencing pronounced pain, you may notice sensitivity to heat, cold, or sweetness. This sensitivity arises when the hard outer layer of enamel is compromised, allowing sensations to reach the pulp of the tooth. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it is crucial to consider getting in touch with a dentist immediately. They can assess the condition of your cracked tooth and provide the necessary treatment to alleviate discomfort and prevent further complications. It is important to look for efficient dental care from a reputable provider offering CEREC same-day dental crowns. This is a revolutionary advancement in dentistry as dentists can create and place custom-made dental crowns in just one appointment (consider looking at cerec same-day dental crowns castle rock, if interested). Using CAD/CAM technology, a digital impression of the tooth is taken and used to design and mill a porcelain crown on-site. This eliminates the need for multiple appointments and temporary crowns, allowing patients to receive a permanent restoration in a single visit.
Swelling
Swelling is usually one of the last signs of a cracked tooth to appear. It can either mean that the tooth’s hard tissue is irritating the gum when it moves or that the gum or the tooth itself has become infected. In any case, swelling in the mouth should always prompt a trip to see your dentist.
Parting Words
Prompt treatment is essential whenever a cracked tooth is suspected. If left untreated, the tooth may become permanently damaged and require extraction. To prevent further complications, it is important to seek help from a qualified dental professional — one like Dr. Peter Brawn, for instance.
Depending on the severity of the damage, your dentist may recommend braces or Invisalign to realign the teeth. These procedures can help to protect the tooth and reduce the risk of further damage. In any case, it is important to take action as soon as possible to ensure the health of your smile.
