Fix Cracked Teeth

Cracked teeth often take people by surprise. You might be minding your own business, eating a delicious meal, and then suddenly, your tooth has cracked in half. There are many possible reasons that a tooth might crack. If you grind your teeth or find yourself crunching on ice, candy, or other hard foods, you may be heading for a cracked tooth. Over time, these habits can damage the enamel on your teeth and cause the teeth to eventually crack. If your tooth has cracked, however, your dentist can fix it. Because a crack may expose the soft pulp inside your tooth, which contains blood vessels and nerves, a cracked tooth can cause pain. If you experience sudden pain in your teeth while eating, you may have a crack in your teeth. This pain may be particularly acute if you’re eating food that is either extremely cold or extremely hot. Some people, however, have a cracked tooth and never feel it all. This may cause even greater problems, as a crack in the tooth can invite infection inside the tooth, in the tooth’s pulp, and this infection can spread into the gums and bone. Regular dental checkups may help your dentist detect a crack in your tooth before infection can set in, so be sure to schedule and attend regular dental checkups. It is far easier to repair a cracked tooth than it is to fix an infected tooth, and the sooner the tooth is repaired, the less likely it is to become infected. This is why it is also important to contact your dentist as soon as you can if you know that you have a cracked tooth. If you are unable to get in to see your dentist immediately, be sure to adhere to a strict oral hygiene routine until you are able to see the dentist. Brush very gently to avoid further damaging the tooth, and be sure to use a soft-bristled brush.

Once you are able to visit the dentist, your dentist will assess the damage and determine the best course of treatment. Treatment will depend largely on the size and extent of the fracture. If only a small piece of enamel has chipped away, your dentist may be able to restore the area with a small amount of filling or bonding material. Your dentist may also be able to restore a cracked tooth by capping it with a dental crown, which maintains the health of the tooth and prevents further damage. If the crack is severe, your dentist may need to perform endodontic surgery to remove the fractured tooth. If the crack is deep and goes into the tooth’s pulp, you may need a root canal or tooth extraction. Regardless of the treatment plan you and your dentist select, the sooner you are able to visit the dentist after damaging your tooth, the better. Scheduling an emergency dentist appointment to address a cracked tooth could spell the difference between saving and restoring your tooth, and losing it altogether.

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