Cracked teeth are more common than you might think.

There’s one thing in life that is guaranteed: It can include all sorts of havoc, even if we do everything we can to prevent it. When it comes to teeth, this can happen in the form of broken or cracked teeth. We might have the best oral hygiene routine in the world, but accidents happen. Cracked teeth, specifically, are incredibly common. They can form due to teeth grinding, accidents, or age-related wear. This means that sometimes, cracked teeth are unavoidable.

If it’s unavoidable and not bugging you, can’t you just ignore it? Sure, a person can ignore something if they try hard enough. But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea in the long run. These cracks are perfect places for bacteria to hide, eating away the tooth as it goes. This is a recipe for a cavity disaster. If left untreated, this can create a tooth abscess, or the infection can even make its way to the jawbone.

So if you have any of the following symptoms, don’t wait to get it checked out! It’s always better to take care of an issue early.

Signs of a Cracked Tooth

Cracks have a way of going undetected if they aren’t actively creating pain. The discomfort that comes with them can sometimes come and go, making it easier to dismiss or just completely ignore. One of the common signs that you have a cracked tooth hiding in there is a quick, shocking sort of pain when you eat. This can intensify whenever you are eating (or even drinking) something hot or cold.

If it’s bad enough, there may be swelling or general discomfort around the affected tooth due to infection. If any of these symptoms match up with yours, don’t wait to get ahold of us here at CinciSmiles. It’s better to rule out a cracked tooth or get it treated early than to give it the chance to progress.

Why Prompt Treatment Is Important

If you have a cracked tooth, why is it so important to get it treated as soon as possible? First, it’ll help with that pesky discomfort, but that’s far from the only reason. Repairing the cracked tooth helps prevent further damage and infection. If an infection starts, it has a chance to spread all the way to the jaw. The sooner you are able to get the cracks taken care of, the better your chances are at protecting the structure of the natural tooth and keeping your overall health (both dental and otherwise) in good shape.

Treatment Options for a Cracked Tooth

What exactly are the treatment options for a cracked tooth? Are they very extensive? Every person is different, which means any cracked teeth they might have are as unique as they are. As the cracks in a tooth can vary in severity, the treatment options vary to match exactly what they need.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is an excellent option for minor cracks. This is done by filling in the cracks with a tooth-colored resin. This is then shaped to match the remainder of your tooth, so you’ll soon forget it was ever there. We harden that resin with a special light and send you on your way! It’s quick, painless, and will help protect your smile. With proper care, dental bonding can last for up to 10 years.

Crowns

Crowns are an excellent way to repair teeth with significant damage. Crowns are long-lasting and can be treated just like your other teeth. Here at CinciSmiles, we use lasers to help prepare the tooth for the crown. This makes the process more precise and the healing time faster. We take digital impressions of your teeth to make a 3D model to work from and to create the crown itself. This makes it much easier to ensure your crown fits perfectly on the first try. No one will ever be able to tell you have a crown unless you tell them!

Extractions

Sometimes the damage has a way of getting out of control. In cases like this, extractions may be necessary. But there’s good news: There are many different options, such as implants, to help restore your smile after an extraction. The goal here is not to leave you missing teeth.

Small problems can turn into big problems quickly.

It doesn’t take very long at all for a small, slightly inconvenient problem to become a huge ordeal. This is especially true with cracks in your teeth. All it takes is a little bacteria to get beneath that enamel and you have a cavity—or worse. Because of this, it’s important to request an appointment with us if you think you might have a cracked tooth. The sooner we repair it, the better off your teeth will be. Remember, you can always trust CinciSmiles to provide expert care.