The world of dentistry can be a scary one. If you’ve ever caught yourself feeling apprehensive about the dentist or hearing your friends talk about root canal cracked tooth, you’re not alone. However, there’s so much more to these things than what meets the eye.
Perhaps the most frightening of all three topics is the idea of a cracked tooth or a root canal. You might have heard these terms before and not known what they meant. Well, buckle up because this article is about to be your new source for knowledge on these two scary sounding topics that are actually quite common for people with sensitive teeth.
What is a cracked tooth?
A cracked tooth is a tooth that has been broken due to something like an accident or grinding your teeth at night and causing extreme tooth sensitivity. A root canal cracked tooth in your mouth can lead to a lot of pain, swelling, and can be extremely difficult to treat. This can make it very hard to eat or even speak properly. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to try and prevent a cracked tooth from happening.
If you have a tooth that is sensitive to hot or cold liquids, or experiences tooth pain when chewing, you may have a cracked tooth. This can be caused by an accident, a sports injury, or grinding teeth during sleep. If you have a cracked tooth, it can be difficult to treat. It can be challenging to find a solution that will help relieve pain while also not damaging the cracked tooth.
What is a root canal?
A root canal is a procedure that is done when the nerve inside your tooth dies due to infection. The root canal procedure is a way to manage the pain and keep the tooth alive. A root canal is actually a treatment that is done to save a root canal cracked tooth. It can be difficult to know when you need to go see a dentist for a root canal cracked tooth. It’s important to catch it early so that you have enough time to heal before the infection spreads.
If you experience a strong toothache, see red or swollen gums, or have a tooth that seems to be decaying, these are signs of an infection. If the infection is left untreated, it can spread to other teeth, your jaw, and even your face. This can lead to expensive medical bills and time off of work.
How to know if you need a root canal
The most important thing to keep in mind is that a root canal is not a procedure that you want to take lightly. In order to determine if you need a root canal cracked tooth, your dentist will first want to perform a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. They will look for signs of an infection, such as redness, swelling, and pain, that has spread to the roots of your teeth. If they find any signs of infection, they will recommend a root canal as a treatment option.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible: * Pain when chewing * Pain when biting * A toothache * Swelling or tenderness in the gums * A tooth that feels loose or decayed * A tooth that has been knocked out or broken
Tips to prevent cracked teeth and root canals
– Try to eat less hard or chewy foods – You’re more likely to experience tooth pain and increased sensitivity when you chew on hard or tough foods like ice or hard candy.
– Chew sugar-free gum – Chewing gum is a great way to relieve tooth sensitivity, particularly if you’re prone to teeth grinding.
– Pick a soft-bristled toothbrush – Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub your teeth, particularly around gum line.
– Visit the dentist twice a year – Make an appointment with your dentist twice a year to have your teeth checked and cleaned.
– Avoid frequent teeth grinding – Brushing after every meal is a great way to help prevent teeth grinding and decaying teeth.
– Limit caffeine intake – Avoid consuming a large amount of caffeine, as it is a diuretic and can lead to dehydration.
Conclusion
Now that you know everything there is to know about a root canal cracked tooth, you can start to feel a little less apprehensive about them.
These things are scary and sound like they would cause a lot of pain, but if you catch them early enough and have them treated properly, you can go about your day without feeling any pain.
References:
1-Cracked Teeth: Distribution, Characteristics, and Survival after Root Canal Treatment
Publishing Date: 19 March 2016
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2016.01.014
2-Diagnosis and management of cracked tooth by quantitative light-induced fluorescence technology
Publishing Date: 28 April 2019
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2019.04.025
3-Cracked tooth syndrome: Overview of literature
doi: 10.4103/2229-516X.165376
