Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?
There are several reasons why you could have a cracked tooth. But does it warrant a trip to the emergency dental clinic? There are case-specific reasons to see an emergency dentist and it pays to know the difference to help determine if a cracked tooth is a dental emergency.
When is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?
A cracked tooth is not a dental emergency. However, it requires immediate dental care if you have these two: pain and bleeding.
A cracked tooth that is also painful with the pain increasing over time is something that you should not overlook. You must visit your dentist to learn more about the cause of the pain and fix it immediately.
Bleeding with a cracked tooth is another serious issue that requires dental care. Bleeding is usually a result of gum problems or the problem affects the deeper layers of your tooth. You need a dental expert to look into the problem before it leads to other long-term effects on your oral health.
If you are bleeding, you must avoid taking aspirin for the pain because it will cause more bleeding. You can also apply light pressure on the area to stop the bleeding. And if your cracked tooth is removed, do your best to preserve that tooth so your dentist can try re-implanting it.
Other signs that you need emergency dental care for a cracked tooth is if it comes with swollen gums and severe sensitivity.
What to Do After Sustaining a Cracked Tooth
Before you head to the dentist’s office for emergency dental care, you must do the following first:
- Rinse your mouth with a warm saline solution. This solution will clean the area surrounding the cracked tooth and prevent infection.
- Use sterile gauze to control the bleeding. Apply a cold compress to the area after it has stopped bleeding. The cold compress will prevent inflammation.
- Take OTC medication for pain and inflammation.
- Call your dentist for an emergency appointment. It is crucial to seek professional dental help immediately, especially if it is a severely cracked tooth with bleeding and pain. Your dentist can evaluate the tooth and recommend the ideal treatment and avoid serious complications.
How Long Can You Go with a Cracked Tooth?
If the above signs or symptoms do not apply to your case, there is no need to rush and find an emergency dental clinic. However, you shouldn’t wait long either to set up an appointment with your dentist so they can assess and fix the cracked tooth. The goal is to repair the cracked tooth and preserve your mouth health.
On your visit to the dentist, they will perform surface fillings or install a dental crown to restore the look of the cracked tooth. This step is only for superficial cracks that aren’t related to other dental problems.
For severe cases of a cracked tooth, your dentist might opt to extract the tooth and place an implant and crown in its place.
There is no shortage of emergency dental care providers in Edmonton. When in doubt, consult your dentist about a cracked tooth to rule out any major dental problems.