When Is a Cracked Tooth Considered a Dental Emergency?

Unsure whether a cracked tooth is a dental emergency? Read on to learn whether to seek emergency treatment for a cracked tooth. If you have suffered a dental emergency like a cracked tooth, you should visit a dentist immediately for oral care. Depending on the nature and extent of the crack, the dentist will recommend a few options to fix the tooth. The key is visiting the dental office on time. Delaying treatment can cause severe pain, infection, or further damages that may lead to tooth extraction.

Signs that a cracked tooth is a dental emergency

When a person experiences physical trauma or injury to the face or mouth, it can cause immediate bleeding, swelling, and pain. For example, chewing on a hard object could chip or break their teeth. Therefore, they should seek immediate medical care to prevent further trauma and difficult recovery. For example, chipped teeth can be painful and cause extreme redness and heat, which may indicate an oral infection that can cause serious side effects and future health conditions when left untreated.

In addition, bleeding in the mouth indicates possible gum damage or injury in the deeper tooth layers. This damage often requires immediate attention to restore the patient's tooth and preserve their long-term oral health. Patients should avoid pain relievers containing aspirin for pain relief as it can cause the bleeding to get worse. Instead, they can try to stop the bleeding by putting light pressure on the affected area with a cold compress, which will also help with swelling. 

Diagnosing a cracked tooth

The teeth are the strongest part of the body but are vulnerable to fracture and breakage. When a crack is so deep that the tooth nerves become exposed, the person will experience severe pain and tooth sensitivity. There may also be some bleeding. The damage may require a root canal to remove the nerves and dental crown placement to protect the tooth.

If the break is vertical, beginning from the tooth roots and extending to the crown, it will cause significant pain since the root portion may become infected. The dentist will often need to perform a tooth extraction. The crack may be due to the presence of decay around the area. In such situations, removing the decayed part might be an effective solution.

Another dental emergency could be when the whole tooth is cracked, with the breakage extending from the chewing surface to the tooth nerves. The tooth may remain in one piece, but the crack will spread gradually. Applying a dental filling may be enough to preserve the tooth's structure, but a dental crown is usually necessary.

A tooth can crack due to causes like severe decay or large fillings, chewing on hard items, teeth grinding, trauma, and age. Regardless of what caused the crack, the dentist can recommend the most appropriate solution to restore the tooth's condition. The dentist usually performs a visual examination to determine the cause of the crack. They may also apply a dental dye to check the extent of the damage. In addition, gum inflammation is a visible sign of a cracked tooth, but the dentist may also do an X-ray.

Repairing a cracked tooth

Depending on the patient's case, the dentist may perform treatment immediately or recommend antibiotics to eliminate an infection. The treatment option depends on what caused the cracked tooth and if the patient was able to find any fragments of the tooth. Repair options include dental fillings, root canal therapy, antibiotics, dental crowns, or tooth extraction when saving the tooth is impossible.

A cracked tooth can present itself in different forms, and the individual should treat each of them as a dental emergency. Visiting the dental office for immediate care will help improve the chances of saving the tooth. Even if the dentist cannot save the tooth cannot, they will be able to provide relief from pain and ensure there is no additional damage to the tooth and the oral cavity. They can also recommend several tooth replacement options to restore the patient's oral health and smile. These options include dental implants, bridges, crowns, and dentures.

Prepare for a dental emergency

When faced with a dental emergency like a cracked tooth, visiting the dentist will help alleviate pain and discomfort and restore proper oral health. Prompt action will also help prevent future procedures and dental bills. A fractured tooth may not always hurt or bleed and may not seem like an emergency, but a dentist will need to check it. An untreated cracked tooth can quickly become the pathway for bacteria and cause an infection.

Request an appointment here: https://dragonflydentalportcharlotte.com or call Dragonfly Dental of Port Charlotte at (941) 676-9225 for an appointment in our Port Charlotte office.

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