Why You Should Never Ignore A Cracked Tooth
We want to help our patients avoid a dental emergency whenever we can. We know it can be difficult to determine what requires an immediate visit to the office and what can wait. One dental problem that cannot be ignored is a cracked tooth. Delaying treatment can lead to further complications and the need for a more serious procedure.
Why Does a Cracked Tooth Need to Be Treated Immediately?
The longer a cracked tooth is left untreated, the greater the chance you have of needing a more involved treatment, such as a root canal or even a tooth extraction. Not only can a cracked tooth cause problems with your teeth, but if left untreated, it can cause an infection that can spread to your gums and into the jawbone.
Between appointments, it is important to check your teeth for any signs of cracks or other changes. You can look for visible cracks and use your tongue to feel around your teeth. Other signs your tooth may be cracked include:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Swelling of the gums around the damaged tooth
- Pain when eating
- Throbbing pain that comes and goes
Ways to Prevent a Cracked Tooth
The best way to prevent a cracked tooth is to avoid using your teeth as a tool and not chew on things that aren’t food. It can be tempting to use your teeth when you need to open a package or rip off a tag, but the pressure on the teeth can cause the enamel to crack. The same is true if you chew on pen caps and other things that are not meant to go in your mouth. Although it is technically a food item, be sure to avoid chewing on ice cubes. It can easily cause a tooth to crack.
If you think you may have a cracked tooth, contact our office, which is located in Terre Haute, IN, as soon as possible. We want to check your teeth and will recommend treatment to help prevent further damage.
