Sometimes a cracked tooth is accompanied by pain and swelling, and at other times it may be completely asymptomatic. Small, superficial cracks in your dental enamel are common and are nothing to be concerned about. However, at other times, fractures, cracks, and chips can present dental emergencies and need immediate treatment from an emergency dentist.
In this post, we will discuss the most common cracked tooth symptoms and when you should seek help. If you think you have a dental emergency please contact us immediately: (07) 3185 2387.
What Causes Cracked Teeth?
There are various causes of cracked teeth, including
- Biting down on crunchy or hard food (or using your teeth as tools)
- Biting down on a damaged or decayed tooth
- Trauma or physical injury to your mouth
- Having a large restoration on a tooth that was damaged before, which can weaken the tooth
What Are The Most Common Cracked Tooth Symptoms?
If you notice any of these cracked tooth symptoms, you should not ignore them, and contact an emergency dentist for help right away:
- Movement in your tooth, or loosening of the tooth when you bite or chew
- Pain or sensitivity when you bite down
- Tooth sensitivity to sugary foods
- Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Swollen gums around the affected tooth
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore The Symptoms Of A Cracked Tooth?
A cracked tooth can turn into a dental emergency that needs treatment from an emergency dentist very quickly. Some possible dental emergencies that can occur include
- dental decay
- gum infections that can spread into the surrounding bone
- the loss of the tooth
Tooth abscesses
Tooth abscesses are dental emergencies that can cause severe complications. An abscess needs to be drained and you may need a course of antibiotics to help clear the infection from the inside. A tooth abscess can extend beyond a dental emergency and compromise your overall health and well-being.
Some of the symptoms of a tooth abscess include
- Swollen lymph glands
- Fever
- Pain when chewing
- Bad breath
- Temperature sensitivity
The Importance Of Early Treatment
If you visit your emergency dentist at the first sign of a dental emergency, you may be able to treat the problem quickly and inexpensively.
Some of the treatment options for a fractured, cracked, or broken tooth include:
- Polishing
- Dental bonding or filling
- Dental crowns or caps
- Veneers
If the pulp of your tooth is infected, your dentist may perform a root canal treatment to save the tooth. This procedure will remove the tooth pulp, as well as any bacteria and infected matter. The tooth canals will be sealed to prevent future reinfection, and a dental crown will be placed over the tooth to protect it.
Dental emergencies can be prevented if you pay attention to the symptoms of a damaged or decayed tooth and seek treatment as soon as possible. If you recognise any of these cracked tooth symptoms, it’s best to visit your dentist sooner rather than later. To request an appointment for a cracked tooth or dental emergency, please contact us at (07) 3185 2387.
References
How do you know if you have a cracked tooth?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322015#what-are-the-symptoms
Cracked Tooth
https://www.healthline.com/health/cracked-tooth
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