How to Address Your Cracked Tooth before Going to the Dentist

In terms of dealing with dental issues, one of the scariest concerns that can happen is a cracked tooth. It also brings the person who has to deal with it a world of pain.

It's true that teeth are meant to deal with some pressure; however, a certain amount of force can lead your tooth to chipping or cracking. Ice, or a particularly hard piece of food, can be the culprit.

There's a stabbing pain that will make itself known almost immediately when a tooth is cracked. It means that the nerves and roots of the tooth in question are suddenly exposed. Needless to say, this is something which has to be addressed by a dentist immediately. Of course, there is usually a certain waiting period involved after making an appointment with a dentist.

Read on to learn more about how to best address your cracked tooth before seeing the dentist:

Do an Evaluation of the Damage

When the cracked tooth is a result of a rotting tooth disintegrating or having bitten down on a tough piece of food, the pain and swelling can be alleviated with ice. If the cracked tooth is a result of head/face trauma due to an accident, it should be dealt with as soon as possible through the emergency room.

Get Pain Management Going

When a tooth is broken or cracked, there is plenty of gum swelling and outright pain that comes with it. Pain management needs to start almost immediately. An ice pack beside the affected tooth several times a day, on the cheek, will go a long way. OTC (over-the-counter) pain relievers like Ibuprofen will also be helpful at this time. Dental issues in this context will most likely lead to intense headaches like migraines as well.

People that are more inclined towards home remedies will benefit from putting clove oil or crushed garlic on the tooth that's affected. That said, when home remedies are at play, keep an eye out for excessive swelling or a massive fever. Emergency medical care or an emergency appointment with the dentist might be in order should those symptoms kick in.

Make Sure the Area Is Clean

A tooth that ends up damaged either by way of break, crack, or chip should have its area kept clean. Infections should be prevented, and damages should be kept at bay, instead of given a chance to worsen. Debris or bacteria should not be given the avenue to affect gums or the tooth. With this in mind, take these precautionary steps:

• Make sure the affected area is packed with gauze that's clean
• Rinse with a solution of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water
• Rinse with saltwater

Rinsing has to be done after every single meal. Communicate with the dentist about the best way to brush your teeth before the appointment proper.

Conclusion

A cracked tooth can bring a world of pain and plenty of issues. It needs to be examined and resolved through a dental appointment as soon as possible. Before that, do an evaluation of the damage, ensure the area is clean and get pain management going.

If you have a cracked tooth, it’s best to see a local dentist in Ann Arbor right away. Reach out to Dental House MI! Our dental practice has multiple services available, including restorative and cosmetic dentistry.