Have you ever bitten into one of your favorite foods and heard a crack? As you probably know, this can be an extremely unpleasant experience. Although people often feel that they can wait to have this problem addressed, we recommend looking for treatment immediately.
There can be a number of issues that might result in a cracked tooth. For example, would you be surprised to learn more that if you have a cavity, you’ll be more like to crack your tooth? To make matters worse, once you’ve cracked a tooth, you’ll need to address it quickly, or you could make the crack worse. If this happens, you’ll be more likely to have a tooth infection and decay.
However, while visiting a dentist as soon as possible is important, you may need to wait a few days. There are a few things you can do at home to alleviate any discomfort while you wait. You could 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 should be able to find at your local drugstore.
When you do visit our dentist, we’ll assess the state of your mouth and offer you any personalized advice you need. Sometimes, for a minor crack, you’ll just need to have your tooth smoothed out. At other times, our team will fill the crack with a specialized filling material. More serious breaks may need root canal therapy and will usually be covered by a crown.
If you have cracked or chipped teeth, please don’t hesitate to contact Clearpoint Dentistry at 281-487-2400. Our dentist, Dr. Lupy Gonzalez, and our team will examine your tooth and see what damage you may have. We look forward to hearing from you soon!