Imagine you bite down on an ice cube only to hear a resounding Crack echo from your mouth. Generally, that’s the sound an ice cube makes when it grinds against your molars. However, if you feel a sharp stab of pain course through your teeth, followed by the sound, you may have a case of a cracked tooth on your hands.
A cracked tooth is considered to be a dental emergency. Moreover, given the severity of the fracture, the tooth might need to be pulled from its roots. But before you go down a panic spiral, let us stop you right there!
In this blog, we’ve listed everything you need to know about cracked teeth: what causes them, how to spot them, and most importantly, whether or not they need to be pulled.
Does A Cracked Tooth Need To Be Pulled?
Surprisingly enough, a cracked tooth is far more common than you think. However, not all broken teeth need to be extracted. Sometimes, even the task of identifying the crack can be difficult since not all fissures are visible. It’s only under certain circumstances that the need to pull out a cracked tooth might arise.
Plus, a tooth fracture is usually followed by intense pain and discomfort. This pain can come in waves before disappearing altogether. But based on the location of the trauma and the severity, you might only need to get the crack minimally repaired. This can be done through composite bonding, sealant, and even dental filling.
Reasons Why A Broken Tooth Should Be Extracted
A cracked tooth, if left untreated, can lead to numerous dental complications. Nonetheless, a minimally injured tooth can still be salvaged, especially if it doesn’t affect the insides, such as the pulp or dentin.
On the other hand, if the tooth is badly fractured, with pieces of it falling away or the pain becoming unbearable, it would be best to get it pulled out. Mentioned below are a few instances where an extraction might be beneficial:
- The crack occurred below the gum line, on the root of the tooth.
- Dental infection or pus formation
- Extreme bouts of pain
- Difficulty chewing
- Swollen and tender gums
- High fever (over 101°C)
- Swollen lymph nodes
How Long Can You Go With A Cracked Tooth?
No matter how small the injury may seem, a cracked tooth is a dental emergency and should be taken care of as soon as possible. Although, if you are unable to get in contact with your dentist immediately, make sure to schedule an appointment within two weeks after the injury.
Waiting for longer than that could jeopardize your oral health and risk an infection from taking root.
Tips To Prevent Cracked Teeth
In order to avoid damaging your pearly whites, follow the preventive measures given below. This way, you won’t have to worry about cracking a tooth anytime soon.
- Avoid eating hard foods like ice cubes or candy.
- Do not use your teeth as a makeshift tool.
- Take care of your oral hygiene
- Seek bruxism therapy if you tend to clench your jaw or grind your teeth.
- Keep away from caramel, taffy, and other sticky foods.
- Eat a balanced diet with enamel-strengthening foods.
Don’t Suffer In Silence!
The pain that comes along with a cracked tooth can be unbearable. But rather than having it pulled out, wait for your dentist’s evaluation. Depending on the severity, your dentist will decide whether or not your cracked tooth needs to be pulled.
Nevertheless, if the pain is keeping you up at night and making your daily life difficult, don’t wait. Reach out to Signature Smiles for emergency dentistry services. For more information, feel free to call or visit us at any of the following locations:
Irving Location: 3654 N Belt Line Rd, Irving, TX 75062, United States
Contact Number: (214) 307-4715
Plano Location: 5072 W Plano Pkwy Suite 270, Plano, TX 75093, United States
Contact Number: (214) 307-4755