How To Identify A Dental Emergency Caused By A Cracked Tooth

A tooth can crack due to actions such as biting into a hard object, falling, or getting hit during sports. That said, when a tooth cracks, it can be extremely painful, depending on the intensity of the injury. You should know that some cracks are severe and require emergency care. Here are factors that will help determine if your cracked tooth is a dental emergency.

Noticeable Crack

After a tooth injury, it is likely for a visible crack to form. That said, the damage may be harder to notice on the molars and premolars. To be sure, you can use your phone to capture the back of your mouth. If possible, you can also use a mirror and flashlight to get a clear view. If you notice the presence of a crack, you must treat it as a dental emergency. In such a case, you must contact your dentist to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. This also applies if you fail to notice a crack but experience severe pain. 

Pain While Chewing

When a cracked tooth isn't engaged, it may cause little to no pain, but engaging it in chewing can result in significant levels of discomfort. This pain indicates that your tooth needs immediate medical attention. More importantly, you shouldn't wait for unbearable pain to kick in to seek emergency dental services. This is because you need to consume food to survive, and severe pain makes it impossible to eat comfortably.

Swelling of the Gums

Gums swell due to oral infections, poor dental hygiene, or severe injury to a tooth. In some cases, it is likely for a cracked tooth to expose the gums, making them vulnerable to infections. When such an infection remains untreated, it could spread throughout the mouth, causing severe complications. As such, once you notice inflammation of the gums around the cracked tooth, take this sign as a dental emergency.

Sensitivity

A cracked tooth is often sensitive to a temperature change. More so, a crack that runs to the root will significantly impact the nerves. The discomfort can be unbearable if you have a cracked tooth and consume substances such as hot tea or iced coffee. Such an occurrence indicates you need an immediate dental checkup to prevent the condition from worsening. You should know that over-the-counter remedies will not help with severe sensitivity. As such, you must schedule an emergency dental appointment for a permanent solution.

Pain from a cracked tooth can cause you sleepless nights. In such cases, you must take the necessary action to tend to the dental emergency and visit a dentist in your area.