Do Not Ignore A Cracked Tooth
A common dental emergency that we see in our office is a cracked tooth. When teeth are extremely worn, from persistent grinding for example, they can crack under the constant pressure. During routine hygiene examinations, we check your teeth for imperfections and problems with the enamel. Most of our patients visit us infrequently during the year, so it is important that they regularly check and feel their teeth for imperfections as well. When you check your teeth regularly, you are often able to spot a problem, such as a cracked tooth.
Signs of a Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth can occur at any time and may lead to serious oral health complications if not treated right away. It is extremely important that you visit our office immediately if you think you have a problem with your oral health. The longer a problem, such as a cracked tooth, is left untreated in your mouth, the greater the chance you have of needing a tooth extraction. We would hate for you to get an infection that will only lead to further problems.
Besides being visible, other signs of a cracked tooth include:
- Sensitivity in one area of your mouth
- Swollen gums around the damaged tooth
- Pain when eating
- Throbbing pain that comes and goes
Ways to Prevent a Cracked Tooth
The easiest way to prevent a cracked tooth is to avoid chewing on non-food items. Although it is technically considered food, ice is quite harmful if you chew it. Ice can actually be one of the most damaging things for your oral health.
If we have diagnosed you as someone who clenches and grinds their teeth, stick to the treatment plan we devised for you. Clenching and grinding your teeth puts you at a much higher risk for cracking a tooth.
We urge you to contact our office in Houston, TX right away if you think you have a cracked tooth. We want to check your mouth and recommend treatment to prevent further damage.
