Cracked and broken teeth are common problems. After all, people put their teeth through a lot of abuse, whether it’s chewing on a piece of ice or hard candy, tearing open a package, or sustaining an injury to the mouth. You could even be putting stress on your teeth that you didn’t realize through grinding or clenching, which also can cause a cracked tooth.
Regardless of how your tooth ends up cracked, you should always seek emergency dental treatment. And our talented dentist can help.
Dr. Nupur Gupta and the team at Perfect Smiles Dental of Pleasant Hill provide emergency dentistry services to repair cracked teeth and prevent further problems. If you have a cracked tooth, call our office right away for instructions until we can see you in person — and it won’t take long; we offer walk-in and same-day appointments.
We understand that it’s tempting to simply ignore a cracked tooth, especially if it seems minor or you’re not in pain. However, this is a serious mistake. Without proper treatment, complications can develop and seriously compromise your oral health. Here’s why you shouldn’t skip or delay treatment.
Why you shouldn’t ignore a cracked tooth
The most obvious issue with a damaged tooth is that its rough edges can easily injure your cheeks, tongue, or gums. But the problems don’t stop there.
A cracked tooth leaves the softer, more sensitive inner tooth matter exposed. Think of it as a crack in your tooth’s armor. Without protection, the inner material can cause sensitivity when your tooth gets exposed to hot or cold substances or pain when you chew.
Bacteria can also enter through a crack, reaching and infecting the pulp. When this occurs, an abscess can form, leading to throbbing pain, tenderness, bad breath, fever, and more. Worse yet, if the bacterial infection enters your bloodstream unchecked, it can travel throughout your body, triggering alarming health problems.
You might wonder how long it can take for these issues to arise. The short answer is that it depends on a variety of factors, from the size and severity of the crack to the state of your oral health. In other words, it’s impossible to predict.
Instead of putting your tooth and health at risk of complications, play it safe and seek emergency dental care as quickly as possible.
What you should do when you crack a tooth
Because most cracked teeth will cause some pain and sensitivity, it’s likely you’ll know there’s a problem right away that requires attention. However, some cracks don’t present with pain or sensitivity immediately, especially if the cause wasn’t obvious.
If you think you cracked a tooth, call us for an exam as soon as possible. Dr. Gupta can detect even the smallest cracks and determine what, if any, treatment is warranted to protect your oral health.
If you’ve had a traumatic injury, we recommend applying an ice pack to the sore area on your face or jaw and calling Perfect Smiles Dental of Pleasant Hill. Our team can describe the steps you should follow until we can get you into the office for treatment.
Treatments for a cracked tooth
Dr. Gupta examines your teeth and obtains X-rays to assess the tooth or teeth in question. Some common treatments for a cracked tooth include:
- Antibiotics
- Dental bonding
- Dental crown
- Root canal
- Extraction
Based on your exam, Dr. Gupta can determine the best treatment for your case and explain why and how to proceed. With your approval, she can typically perform these treatments during your appointment. And don’t worry: Our team provides pain medication to make any treatments as pain-free as possible.
Most importantly, don’t risk more complications with your oral or general health if you think you have a cracked tooth. When you address a cracked tooth as quickly as possible, your treatments are typically less intense or invasive — and less expensive.
To learn more about emergency dental service, cracked tooth treatment, or to get preventive care, contact Perfect Smiles Dental of Pleasant Hill in California by calling 925-578-4311 or requesting an appointment online.