Have you ever bitten into one of your favorite foods and heard a crack? As you can probably know—or can at least guess—this can be an extremely unpleasant experience. Often, people feel that they can wait to have this problem addressed, but we recommend looking for treatment immediately.
A cracked tooth could be caused by a cavity, and if this is the case, you’ll likely need to cover the weakened tooth with a crown. If you don’t care for a cracked tooth, the crack could slowly extend to the root of your tooth. Once this happens, you’ll be more vulnerable to infection, sensitivity, and even tooth decay.
While visiting our dentist as soon as possible is important, you may need to wait a few days to be seen. Meanwhile, there are a few things you can do at home to alleviate any discomfort while you wait. For instance, you can place gauze on the cracked tooth or apply a cold pack to your cheek to alleviate pain and swelling. You may also consider using dental cement, which you can find at your local drugstore and follow the directions on the packaging.
Naturally, our dentist will be able to help you address the problem. For instance, if the crack is small, you may simply need to have your tooth smoothed. Conversely, if the crack is more serious, you may need a filling, while more serious cracks could require a dental crown. A cracked tooth could also require root canal therapy to restore your smile to full health.
If you have cracked or chipped teeth, please don’t hesitate to contact MedPlex Dental Holistic Dentistry at 407-351-2245. Our dentists at R. Castellini, will examine your tooth and see what damage you may have. We look forward to hearing from you soon.