Why You Should Never Ignore A Cracked Tooth
It is important to be mindful of the status of your oral health between oral hygiene appointments in our office. When you visit our office for a routine appointment we spend time inspecting each tooth for signs of a problem, such as a crack in the enamel. We suggest performing these same inspections at home whenever possible. The sooner you are able to spot a visual problem with your oral health and contact our office the better. If you see signs of a cracked tooth you need to schedule an immediate appointment. Thankfully, we offer a number of treatments that can improve and restore the function of the tooth, depending on the severity of the crack and the damage to the tooth root. Aside from seeing a visual crack, here are some signs that may indicate you have a cracked tooth:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Swelling of the gums around the damaged tooth
- Pain when eating
- Throbbing discomfort that comes and goes
Ways to Prevent a Cracked Tooth
There are many ways that a tooth can become cracked. Some instances, such as a fall or trauma to the mouth, can cause a tooth to crack. Other cracks in the teeth are caused when patients make poor choices regarding their oral health. For example, chewing on non-food items or using teeth as tools are two common ways to crack tooth enamel. Clenching and grinding are also extremely common ways patients crack their teeth. If you have been diagnosed as someone who clenches and grinds their teeth, it is important that you follow our treatment advice so you don’t continue to harm your oral health.
If you think you may have a cracked tooth or experience another dental emergency, contact our office, which is located on the Upper East Side, as soon as possible. We want to check your mouth and recommend treatment to help prevent further damage.
