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The Importance of Immediate Treatment for a Cracked Tooth

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By Lakeshore Dental Studio

Cracked tooth could be tiny. However, it has the ability to turn into big, stinging surprises.

Have you ever skipped over a cracked tooth previously? That might be why you’re feeling that stinging pain now.

Most people wave off a cracked tooth as no big deal, until it is everything. Today’s cracked tooth has the ability to turn into tomorrow’s extraction tale.

If you think you feel a small crack, a quiet dental catastrophe may be unfolding.

What is a Cracked Tooth?

A cracked tooth is a fracture or break in the tooth enamel or dentin. There are several types of cracks, and each requires a different level of attention and urgency.

Craze lines are shallow cracks that only involve the enamel and are typically not painful. A fractured cusp can occur around fillings and may be painful when chewing. Moreover, a cracked tooth is a more substantial fracture that can extend to the root. A split tooth is a large crack that splits the tooth in two. Vertical root fractures originate within the root. They are usually not visible until infection sets in.

Why Is Getting Care Right Away Important?

You must not delay to treat a cracked tooth should not be delayed, as it is likely to make matters worse. As a result, it can increase difficulty in saving it.

The crack can grow and lead to serious damage to the tooth’s structure or a split tooth. Prompt treatment significantly stops permanent harm and increases the possibility of salvaging the natural tooth.

A cracked tooth provides a portal of entry for bacteria. It immensely can lead to infection and abscess. If you do not treat the crack, it could result in root canal infection or bone loss in the jaw.

Rapid treatment from an emergency dentist in Chicago, IL, stops the march of damage effectively. Moving promptly can help diminish pain, sensitivity, and discomfort each day, especially when eating or drinking.

Small cracks are easier and less expensive to fix. It saves time and money in the long run. Early intervention may involve a simple bonding or crown rather than a costly extraction.

In many cases, patients delay care to think the pain will fade, until it doesn’t. Emergency dental visits ensure that temporary pain doesn’t turn into a long-term nightmare.

Cracked tooth emergencies cannot be treated with painkillers or home treatments alone.

The sooner you get to your emergency dentist, the better the chances of saving your tooth.

Some Common Causes of Cracked Teeth

Cracking a tooth takes place when you chew hard foods such as ice, nuts, or unpopped popcorn kernels. Unintended cracks in the teeth are often the result of direct trauma caused by falls, sports injuries, or accidents.

Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism) leads to excessive pressure, particularly at night, that weakens tooth enamel. Large fillings weaken structural integrity and make teeth more susceptible to future cracking. Enamel thins with age, and years of wear can result in sudden cracks under normal pressure.

Warning Signs and Symptoms

A cracked tooth typically leads to sharp pain when chewing or biting down on food. You may experience increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages. Intermittent pain, particularly upon release of biting pressure, is a frequent red flag.

Gums that are swollen or inflamed near the involved tooth may indicate a more serious problem. You must look for recurring pain that waxes and wanes. Your cracked tooth is capable of getting worse in silence.

Our emergency dentists can provide you with quick, high-quality care to save your smile. Don’t let a broken tooth determine your future. Make an appointment now.