Dangers of Ignoring a Cracked Tooth

There are many different things that you can do to crack a tooth. Some are obvious, such as an injury to your teeth or face, while others are not so obvious, like not realizing you had a cavity.

You need to get that crack treated as soon as it happens. The longer you ignore the problem, the worse it is going to get, and the more damage could happen to your tooth. If the crack is ignored too long, it can lead to the loss of that tooth entirely.

Cracked Teeth Need Attention

While a crack in your tooth may not be painful, it will eventually develop into a problem. There is no way to determine how quickly that will happen. You could be fine for a few months, then get pain instantly, or you may develop searing pain tomorrow.

What happens when you have a cracked tooth is that the gap slowly opens up just a tiny bit, each time you bite down on that tooth. This allows debris and bacteria to get into the crack. Now, much of that could be brushed away and killed with your mouthwash, allowing the process to be a slow one.

On the other hand, that bacteria may get beneath the enamel in a very short time, causing a cavity right around the nerve of your tooth. This can lead to a lot of pain if not treated.

You need to make sure that if you suspect a crack in one of your teeth, you have us take a look at it. We can help protect the health and integrity of your tooth if you contact us soon enough. We also look for signs of cracks during your exams and cleanings, so if you haven’t been in to have that done recently, give our office a call and schedule yours today!