How Do I Know If My Tooth Has Cracked?

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Tooth pain can occur for many reasons, which is why even professionals can have difficulty determining where exactly it’s coming from. If you’re trying to decide whether your tooth has cracked, we’ll look at the general symptoms and how it varies from other types of tooth pain.

What Is a Cracked Tooth?

Acracked tooth in Aitkin, MN, sometimes called a fractured tooth, can refer to different types of damage to the tooth. In some cases, you’ll see crazing lines, much like you might see on a piece of intact pottery. In other cases, a crack can extend from the biting surface into the root.

Not all cracked teeth require immediate repair, though it’s worth noting that every type of crack weakens the tooth’s structural integrity to a certain extent. Unfortunately, there is also nothing you can do to repair the tooth once it’s cracked.

How Do I Know If My Tooth Is Cracked?

If your tooth is cracked, you may be able to see the line in the tooth. If there are no visible symptoms, you might experience irregular pain while chewing or sensitivity to hot and cold foods/beverages. (Adentist in Deerwood, MN, can tell you that not every crack will appear in the scans, but there are other tests they can run.)

You may also feel localized pain in that area when you bite down and then release. If the tooth is fractured, the pieces will move around and irritate the pulp on the interior of the tooth. In the worst-case scenario, the crack can also allow bacteria into the pulp, which can eventually cause a painful infection.

How to Treat a Cracked Tooth in Deerwood

Because a cracked tooth can manifest in different ways, it’s important to talk to a professional about what’s going on under the surface. Not all cracked teeth will need immediate treatment, while others may require anything from a root canal to a tooth extraction. If you’ve noticed a change in your oral health, whether it’s physical or nerve-related, the staff at River Oaks Dental is here to help. With offices in Aitkin and Deerwood, MN, we’re here to help.

Treating Emergency Toothache Before Dentist Visit

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Like most emergencies, toothaches always happen after business hours, on holidays, and on weekends. There’s no such thing as a “convenient” time to get a toothache. You may often have to treat an emergency toothache at home before you can see the dentist. At River Oaks Dental, your dentist in Deerwood, MN, and Aitkin, MN, we strive to accommodate emergency dental needs as much as possible. Please call us when you have any dental needs, including emergency toothaches. In the meantime, here are some tips to help before your dental visit.

Take Over-the-Counter Painkillers

If your primary care physician has okayed it, you can take an over-the-counter painkiller. Avoid aspirin since it can make bleeding worse, but ibuprofen and acetaminophen are good alternatives. Make sure you follow the recommended dosage instructions on the label.

Use a Warm Saltwater Rinse

A rinse with warm saltwater can cleanse the affected area and provide pain relief. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and gently swish it around your mouth, then spit it out.

Use a Warm or Cold Compress

Experiment with a heating pad or a cold washcloth pressed against the outside cheek where the toothache is. One or the other will likely reduce the pain.

Elevate the Head

Lie down with your head elevated above your heart. This will minimize blood flow to the area, and help keep blood pressure manageable. Higher blood pressure tends to increase the pain, so this elevation tip is very helpful for pain reduction.

Avoid Eating and Drinking Certain Things

Until you can see the dentist, avoid eating and drinking excessively hot or cold foods. Also, avoid chewing on the side of the toothache. Foods like Jello-o, tapioca, rice pudding, fruit smoothies (at room temperature), and temperate soups are all good options that are less likely to exacerbate the pain.

Rinse the Mouth

Be sure to continue with your oral hygiene. Rinse the mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash in the morning and before bedtime. Keeping the area clean is important, especially if a cavity is the reason for the toothache.

River Oaks Dental has offices in Deerwood, MN, and Aitkin, MN. We serve residents in these locations and surrounding areas. If you have a toothache emergency or other dental need, contact your Aitkin and Deerwood, MN dentist today to book an appointment!