Next to a dislodged tooth, a cracked tooth is a shocking and painful experience. While there are varying levels of teeth cracks and pain that a person has as a result, it’s important to understand what type of crack and pain you’re experiencing as you seek help.
Types Of Cracked Teeth
According to the American Association of Endodontists, the sooner you pursue treatment for a cracked tooth the more likely your dentist will be able to save at least part of the tooth. Here are the five common types of cracks that our dental professionals see:
- Craze Line Cracks – Benign, hairline cracks that occur on the tooth’s surface or enamel. These aren’t usually painful unless they reach the dentin of the tooth.
- Fractured Cusps – Cracks and breaks that occur on the chewing surface of the tooth. Pain is possible but not always common with this type of break.
- Cracked Teeth – This crack occurs on part of the tooth between the gumline and cusp of the tooth. Because this crack drills into part of the tooth, it can be quite painful and lead to a root canal to save as much of the tooth as possible.
- Split Teeth – This is one of the more painful cracks since it reaches the root of a tooth. This crack can also call for a root canal to save as much of the tooth as possible.
- Vertical Root Fracture – This is one of the most extensive cracks a person can experience. A crack will stretch from the root to the chewing surface of a tooth. Unlike a cracked or split tooth, the pain of this fracture can go undetected for months or years. What might begin to cause pain is a dried-out root or decay due to the crack.
How To Soothe A Cracked Tooth
Unlike an injury to one of your limbs, it is more difficult to avoid pain from a cracked tooth because you need to eat and drink. If you experience pain when chewing foot or teeth sensitivity to hot or cold beverages, there are several things you can do to ease the pain while you wait for professional dental help:
Cold Compresses On Cheek – This can be done regardless of the type of crack you’re experiencing. Holding a cold compress against the cheek closest to a crack can reduce inflammation in the area.
Pain Medications – Taking anti-inflammatory medications should only be done under the advice of your doctor or dental office. If it is possible to take some, then doing so will reduce pain and inflammation as a result of a crack.
Put Ice In Your Mouth – If you’re not experiencing anything beyond a fractured tooth where the root is exposed, this solution can offer immense relief. Hold the ice cube with your tongue up against the gums closest to the cracked tooth. This should offer some pain relief when combined with pain medication.
Hold Cold, Clean Compresses Near The Gums – This should not be done if you think any part of the nerve or tooth’s root is exposed. Exposure to objects outside of the mouth could introduce bacteria to the tooth’s nerve, which would speed up decay and death for the tooth. If you experience a crazy line or fractured cusp where the nerve isn’t exposed, placing a cold compress near the gumline of the tooth can offer some relief.
Seeking 24-Hour Dental Care – Naperville, Illinois
Whether you’re experiencing a chipped tooth with the broken tooth fragments you’ve saved, or a crack that extends beyond the gum line, our emergency dental care team is here to help you. Naperville Commons Dental will quickly establish a diagnosis and treatment to save as much of your tooth as possible.
Instead of visiting the emergency room during the day, visit a practice that specializes in emergency dentistry in Naperville, IL. Call our office as soon as you experience a cracked or chipped tooth, so we can prepare to help you.
