Why You Should Never Ignore A Cracked Tooth
While we hope our patients never experience a dental emergency, one of the most common is a cracked tooth. One way to help prevent this issue is to maintain routine dental care in our office. We will check your teeth for signs of potential problems, such as cracks. It is important to have a cracked tooth treated as soon as possible.
Signs You Have a Cracked Tooth
It is important to be mindful of the way your teeth look and feel when you are between dental appointments. A cracked tooth can occur at any time and can lead to serious oral health complications if not treated in a timely fashion. Be sure to regularly inspect your teeth for signs of visual damage. 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
A cracked tooth needs to be treated immediately. If you are experiencing any of the signs mentioned above, be sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. The longer a cracked tooth is left untreated in your mouth, the greater the chance you have of needing a tooth extraction. Not only can a cracked tooth cause problems with your other teeth, but if left untreated, it can also cause an infection that can spread to your gums and into the jawbone, eventually leading to a tooth extraction.
Ways to Prevent a Cracked Tooth
One of the easiest ways to prevent a cracked tooth is to avoid chewing on non-food items. We also recommend not using your teeth as tools. Chewing on any hard item, such as ice, can also lead to cracked teeth. If you have been diagnosed as someone who grinds their teeth, it is important to follow our treatment recommendations. Teeth grinding is also one of the leading causes of cracked teeth.
If you think you may have a cracked tooth, contact our office located in Wellington, FL as soon as possible. We want to check your mouth and recommend treatment to help prevent further damage.
