Even a cracked tooth with seemingly mild damage can be very painful to deal with. Secondly, the crack may get worse when eating or speaking. Thus, this may eventually lead to more dental-related problems such as a chipped or broken tooth. Finally, even if the crack on your tooth spreads, it may be deep enough to cause tooth sensitivity.
In more minor cases, the tooth is easily fixed.
Many times, cracked teeth are topped with a dental crown. Bonding and veneers are other options for repairing a damaged tooth.
These options will all help keep your cracked tooth in a better aesthetic and functional condition. Your dentist will decide the best repair or replacement option for you.
What should I do if I can’t attend the dentist right away?
Likely, you won’t be able to attend a dental visit for a few days after suffering from your chipped tooth. However, call the dentist anyways to see what you should do regarding that issue if their office is open.
Make a dental appointment as soon as you can.
In the meantime, avoid touching or applying a lot of pressure to the tooth to prevent worsening the tooth’s condition.
As always, continue thoroughly brushing your mouth, being slightly more careful with the area of the chipped tooth. Additionally, perform simple oral inspections to ensure the area doesn’t worsen.
When your tooth cracks, it will be important to rinse your mouth with water. Also rinse your mouth well after eating and drinking non-water substances to ensure food particles are not lodged within the cracks of your teeth.
In the case of a severely damaged tooth, resorting to eating softer foods may be ideal. However, since your tooth’s pulp is exposed due to the cracks in your tooth, you will likely suffer from tooth sensitivity. Thus, you might have to make other adjustments to your diet.
Eating or drinking acidic, sugary, very hot, or very cold substances will be extra painful for your cracked tooth. Try to avoid consumption of these if possible. To reduce pain and swelling from the injury, opt for an ice pack in addition to an over-the-counter pain reliever.
