How To Handle a Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth can be a painful and uncomfortable experience. It is not uncommon to encounter a situation when you bite on something hard or crunchy and find that your tooth has been compromised. If you are in this situation, it is important to know what the next steps should be. After all, you may be in some pain and will certainly need to take care of that as soon as possible.
What Should You Do?
The first thing you should do is take some OTC pain relievers to alleviate the discomfort. Then, call an emergency dentist as soon as possible for an appointment. Depending on the extent of the damage, your dentist may recommend one or more treatments, including bonding, root canal therapy, crowns or extractions. The right course of treatment will depend on the severity of the issue.
Minor Cracks
If the crack is minor and does not penetrate beyond the enamel layer, then it can often be treated with dental bonding. This involves filing down the affected area and applying a composite resin material to fill in any gaps or chips that may have occurred. This treatment is relatively quick and painless but may need to be redone over time as composite materials are not as durable as other treatments, such as crowns or veneers.
Deeper Cracks
If there are deeper cracks that reach into the dentin layer of your tooth, then more extensive treatments such as root canal therapy may be necessary in order to save your tooth from extraction. Root canal therapy involves removing all of the nerve tissue from within your tooth and replacing it with an artificial material called gutta percha which helps restore strength and stability to your damaged tooth structure. Once this treatment has been completed, a crown will usually be placed on top of your restored tooth in order to protect it against future damage.
Severe Cracks
If the crack is severe enough that it penetrates into multiple layers of dentin within your tooth, extraction may be necessary. This may help prevent serious complications such as infection or even the spread of bacteria throughout your body if left untreated for too long. Your dentist will likely recommend replacing extracted teeth with either implants or bridges depending on where they were located in your mouth and how many adjacent teeth need support after removal.
How To Prevent Cracking Teeth Again
The best way to prevent cracking your teeth a second time is to avoid overly hard foods that could potentially cause damage, such as ice cubes and hard candy. Additionally, practice good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, which can help to strengthen the enamel. Lastly, visiting your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups can help identify any potential problems before they become serious issues.
What to Do Now
If you are in this situation, get in touch with an emergency dentist. They will arrange to see you and carry out the necessary work to alleviate that pain.
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