How To Fix A Cracked Tooth?

What is a Cracked Tooth?

A cracked tooth is described as damage to a tooth’s structure involving fracture or splitting of the tooth. Cracks can range anywhere from small surface cracks to deeper ones that reach the pulp or even root. The amount of pain and discomfort you experience depends mostly on the location and depth of the crack.

The most affected area by cracked teeth is the molars, as they are the main chewing surfaces for hard food. The main reasons to have a cracked tooth could be:

• Injury or Accident: A direct blow to the mouth or jaw can cause a chipped or cracked tooth.
• Chewing hard food: When you crunch down solid things for a while, it puts pressure on the enamel and can lead to cracks. Hence, foods like ice cubes or hard candies can be a big cause of a sharp cracked tooth.
• Bruxism: Bruxism is a habit of teeth grinding, which people usually do during their sleep or when they experience stress or anxiety. This grinding strains the jaw and enamel, leading to dental problems like cracked dental crown or headaches.

Immediate Relief Options

The following are some temporary methods to get instant relief from an infected cracked tooth. However, these methods won’t provide long-term solutions, so it is always better to seek treatment for severe cases:

Apply a cold compress

Applying a cold compress is a simple yet effective way to relieve pain and swelling from a cracked tooth. The cold temperature helps numb the area, reducing discomfort while also constricting blood vessels to minimise swelling and inflammation.

However, you need to wrap an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables in a thin cloth to prevent direct contact with your skin. Just gently press it against the outside of your cheek, near the affected tooth, for 15-20 minutes. Repeat this process every few hours as needed, especially if you notice swelling or throbbing pain.

Use Pain Relief Medication

Medicines like Advil or Tylenol can help you get a little relief from a cracked or broken tooth. This can help you ease your pain, but only for an instant. This won’t address the root cause and can harm your oral health in the long term.

Use clove oil

Clove oil is considered the best home remedy to reduce pain caused by a broken molar tooth. It contains eugenol, which has numbing and antibacterial properties, making it effective in reducing discomfort and preventing infection.

It can be used by dropping 2-3 drops of oil on cotton and placing it on the cracked tooth at the gumline. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the oil to work. You may feel a slight tingling or warming sensation, which is normal. However, avoid using too much, as clove oil is potent and can cause irritation if overused.

Rinse mouth with salty water

Warm salted water works like an antiseptic, removing bacteria from the affected tooth. Rinsing 3-4 times a day with warm salted water will provide relief from the pain and slightly reduce the irritation caused by gum swelling around a broken tooth.

How Does A Dentist Fix A Cracked Tooth?

Home remedies provide temporary relief, but they are not a substitute for proper treatment. It is important to visit a dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Here are the treatments your dentist may recommend:

Dental Bonding

Composite bonding crooked tooth is the process of applying tooth-coloured liquid resin on a broken tooth to fill the crack. This resin is then hardened with the ultraviolet light. It is essentially done on minor cracks to regain the tooth shape and work on the damaged area. It also restores the functionality and appearance of your cracked tooth.

Dental crown

A dental crown treatment can be your solution if you are suffering from a major sore cracked tooth. The crown is a tooth-shaped cap applied to the damaged tooth to recover it. This method will help you restore your teeth, making them uniform and natural. This treatment is recommended when the crack is extensive, leading to intense pain, difficulty chewing, or sensitivity to hot and cold foods.

Dental Inlays and Onlays

If your cracked tooth is too damaged for a simple filling but doesn’t need a full crown, dental inlays and onlays can be a great solution. These are custom-made restorations that fit perfectly onto your tooth to repair damage while keeping most of your natural tooth intact.

Inlays are used when the crack is limited to the chewing surface, fitting neatly into the grooves of your tooth. Onlays, on the other hand, cover a larger area, including one or more tooth cusps, providing extra strength and support.

To get an idea of how much these treatments might cost, check out our blog on the cost of fixing a cracked tooth.

When to See a Dentist?

Although you may think you can live with minor cracks, it’s important to see a dentist if you are experiencing pain, sensitivity, or difficulty chewing. Even small cracks can worsen over time, leading to serious dental problems. Leaving a cracked tooth untreated can result in infection and, in severe cases, tooth loss.

So don’t wait for the situation to get worse! If you have a cracked tooth, reach out to Complete Smiles today for comprehensive dental care and long-term solutions.