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Dental injuries are sadly more common than you may expect. If you’ve chipped or cracked a tooth, it’s best to arrange to see your dentist to avoid dental pain and reduce the risk of further damage.
Dental cracks, chips and fractures can be caused by a range of different injuries and accidents, from sporting injuries and car accidents, to fighting and falls. Whatever your injury, your dentist can help and it’s best to act quickly, even if you haven’t got any pain.
If you’ve chipped or broken a tooth, there is a risk that the injury could get worse and the tooth may be damaged further; there is also a risk of infection. Repairing and restoring the tooth will help to decrease the risk of injury and make the tooth stronger, so you can eat and chew without any problems and remain pain-free. Signs of a cracked tooth include weakness in the tooth, dental pain and toothache and increased sensitivity.
What can be done for a cracked tooth?
When you see your dentist, they will examine your mouth and probably X-ray the tooth to determine the extent of the damage. If the tooth is chipped or there is only minor damage, it may be possible to mend and restore it with a filling or a procedure called composite bonding. If the tooth is damaged more extensively, it may be necessary to use a crown to restore it; crowns are restorations, which are placed over the top of the natural tooth to make it. If the tooth has become infected, root canal treatment may be required before the tooth is crowned. This procedure helps to remove decayed tissue from the tooth to prevent further infection.
Preventing dental injuries
Sometimes, accidents are inevitable, but there are often steps you can take to protect the teeth from injury, such as always wearing a seatbelt and wearing a mouth guard when you play sport. Regular dental checks are also really important, as they enable dentists to identify any signs of weakness or damage in the tooth, which can then be fixed to reduce the risk of damage in the future.