Certain dental emergencies are simply more obvious than others. A tooth that has been knocked out or dislodged, excessive bleeding, and extreme pain are all obvious signs that your oral health is at risk and needs to be treated immediately. However, other dental emergencies are not always as obvious as you would expect them to be, and they tend to get people into a great deal of trouble due to the time that passes. While some people realize right away that they have cracked a tooth, many others are completely unaware of the damage to their tooth.
Many people realize the moment that it occurs that they have cracked a tooth. Biting down on a piece of ice or hard candy and then experiencing immediate pain is a clear sign that a cracked tooth has occurred. This situation is considered to be a dental emergency, and it should be addressed by your dentist immediately. However, at other times, people may have a cracked tooth and ignore or completely miss the signs. Other signs of a cracked tooth include:
A crack in a tooth is a serious concern because of the intense pain associated with it and the potential risk that it poses to the entire mouth. A crack in a tooth will allow bacteria to enter into the inner layers of the tooth, causing infection. If infection is allowed to fester, it will begin to affect neighboring teeth and gum tissues – leaving the entire mouth vulnerable to serious infection. If an infection reaches the pulp of the tooth, the tooth will die and will need to be extracted from the mouth. This leaves even further need for treatment. Oral health concerns affect each other like dominos.
If you are concerned that you have a cracked tooth, please do not put off evaluation and treatment. At Riverheart Family Dentistry, we are here to help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health. If you have any discomfort inside your mouth, a visibly cracked tooth, or any other dental concern, please contact our practice today.
