So you’ve cracked your tooth—We know this can be stressful. But don’t worry, The Dental Group of Amarillo is here to help.
How to tell
Cracked teeth aren’t always obvious as having a crack down the middle; you could have different symptoms like:
• Inconsistent pain while chewing
• Pain when the tooth comes in contact with hot or cold
• Sharp edge you can feel with your tongue
What to do
• Make an appointment to see Dr. Moore, Dr. King, Dr. Dowlearn, Dr. Wieck, Dr. McPherson, Dr. Brewton, Dr. Le & Dr. Stephenson as soon as possible.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water.
• Apply pressure with gauze if there is any bleeding. You can also use a damp tea bag (it promotes clotting).
• Apply a cold compress to your face next to the broken tooth. Cold helps relieve pain and swelling.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
How to prevent cracks
Cracks can happen for many reasons, but you can lesson your chances by:
• Not chewing on hard objects (like ice!)
• Not grinding and clenching your teeth (and wear a mouth guard at night if you do!)
• Wear facial protection when playing contact sports
If you do find yourself with a crack, call us at 806-358-7633 as soon as possible so we can determine the best plan of action.