Think You May Have Cracked A Tooth?

Advice for our Ashby patients – what to do, and what not to do.

However well we take care of our teeth on a day to day basis, the unexpected can suddenly occur that changes things. Even minor mishaps such as eating a supposedly stoned olive, may reveal that a remnant of stone is still there. As we bite down hard, not expecting a problem, we can suddenly end up with a cracked or broken tooth. Whilst our first instinct may be to check the tooth to make sure that it hasn’t broken, even if we find nothing obvious, unfortunately it doesn’t always mean that damage has been avoided.

Even what feels like a complete tooth may have suffered some damage, and this should be checked out by the dentist at Alexandra Dental Care. A small crack in the enamel of the tooth, or a broken filling, could lead to significant problem if ignored.

Cracked enamel

In the situation mentioned above, it may well be a rear tooth that might be affected. If we see a crack in a front tooth, we are likely to have this checked due to it affecting the way that our teeth look. It might be tempting though, to ignore the less visible rear teeth; but there are two reasons why this is likely to be a mistake.

Any crack in a tooth will expose the more vulnerable porous dentin layer beneath it. The crack will allow bacteria to enter, with tooth decay, and quite possibly a painful toothache, to follow. A rear tooth especially, is exposed to significant force when we bite and chew our food. If the tooth has been weakened, further damage, such as complete breakage may well follow.

Broken filling

It is true that a very small piece of filling can break away with no real harm caused, unless it causes a sharp edge that irritates the soft tissues of your mouth. However, you should still have it checked to make sure all is well. A weakened filling is more likely to break further, and where it has cracked, bacteria can enter causing further decay.

Treatments

If any of our local patients do experience what may be damage to a tooth, you should always have it checked. A minor restoration early on will nearly always be less invasive than a more extensive treatment as further damage occurs. The treatment of a cracked tooth will depend on the extent of the damage and location in the mouth, ranging from a simple filling through to a complete crown, but your dentist will assess this during your appointment and discuss the options with you.

Whatever you do, don’t ignore potential damage to a tooth, however you have experienced it. At Alexandra Dental Care, we are always happy to see patients who have experienced situations such as this, as a precautionary measure. You can call our practice on 01283 216347.

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