Do you have pain while you chew food? Do you have a tooth that’s sensitive to hot and cold food? It’s possible you have a cracked tooth. A cracked tooth can happen from many different types of injuries, or just common wear and tear. Sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint which tooth is cracked and sometimes it’s one of your front ones. The sooner you visit a specialist to treat your Cracked Teeth, the better. Here are the cracked tooth Q&A’s from our endodontists and periodontists near Hyde Park:
Q: Is my tooth cracked?
A: If you answered yes to the questions above, you most likely have a cracked tooth. The pain may come and go, but the crack is still there. You should see your dentist if you cannot see the crack, but you can feel the pain. Symptoms include pain when chewing or biting, sensitivity, and swelling of the gum around the affected tooth.
Q: What’s the treatment?
A: There are many different types of cracked teeth (craze lines, fractured cusp, split tooth, etc.), which means there are different types of treatment. A fractured cusp treatment is repaired with a new filling or crown. A cracked tooth may involve a root canal procedure. However, if the tooth is cracked below the gum line, the tooth will not be saved, but extracted. These are just a few examples.
Q: Can I prevent a cracked tooth?
A: Your teeth go through a lot: chewing, biting, and more. Cracked teeth aren’t always preventable. If you know you do specific things that lead to cracked teeth, talk to your dentist about mouthguards or protective masks for sports. However, you can avoid specific things to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. Stay clear of:
- Chewing hard objects (pens, ice)
- Grinding your teeth
- Clenching your teeth
Our periodontist near Hyde Park is ready for your cracked tooth emergency. If you think you need to be treated immediately, contact the South Loop Dental Specialists today.