I Think I Cracked My Tooth. What Should I Do?

Maybe you were biting down on something hard, or you noticed an unusual pain in your tooth that wasn’t there before. Now, you suspect you’ve cracked your tooth enamel. Your dentist in Deerwood and Aitkin, MN, can help. At River Oaks Dental, we help patients with problems like cracked and damaged teeth.

What Causes a Cracked Tooth?

A cracked tooth can be caused by dental injury from a blow to the face or when you bite down on something extra hard. If you have bruxism, your teeth may become cracked because you grind your teeth at night.

What’s the Problem With a Cracked Tooth?

A deep crack in your tooth enamel can allow bacteria to enter the inside of your tooth, leading to a dental infection. A dental infection is a serious problem that can lead to a lost permanent tooth if you don’t get treatment.

Even if the crack in your tooth isn’t that deep, the pieces of the broken tooth can rub up against each other, irritating the pulp and nerves inside. This can cause ongoing pain as well as more serious damage to your tooth.

How Can You Tell If You Cracked a Tooth?

Sometimes, you can see the crack in the tooth; other times, you can’t. Sometimes, it’s even hard for dental professionals to tell whether the tooth is cracked. If your tooth is cracked, you may notice symptoms such as:

• Sudden sensitivity to heat and cold
• Pain when chewing or at other times
• Sensitivity to sweet foods

Can the Tooth Heal Itself?

Unlike a broken bone, a broken tooth cannot heal itself. If you have a crack in your tooth enamel, you’ll need to get help from a dental professional.

What Can Be Done About a Cracked Tooth?

Your dentist may elect to put a cap on your tooth (called a crown) to protect the tooth and prevent the crack from getting worse. Your dentist may also choose to extract the tooth and install a prosthetic tooth, like a bridge or implant, instead. Your dentist will talk to you about the options when you come in.

Think You Cracked Your Tooth? Call Today

At River Oaks Dental, we offer general dentistry services in Deerwood and Aitkin, MN, and can help patients with dental injuries like cracked and broken teeth. Call today to make an appointment and get help for your cracked tooth.