Cracking one of your front teeth is a very stressful occurrence that is more common than you think. It can also happen for various reasons, whether from an accident or a condition like bruxism. If you have a cracked front tooth, what do you do? Let the team at Empire Dental Care share a bit about why this may be a concern and what steps you can take if it occurs.
Why Do Teeth Crack?
The most common reason teeth crack, especially front teeth, is trauma. Of all dental injuries in the United States, 40% are sports-related.¹ Playing contact sports is particularly dangerous, leading to tooth avulsions, root fractures, and much more.
General wear and tear might also make your teeth more likely to crack. When the enamel on your teeth wears down, you are more likely to damage a tooth. If you like to chew ice, your fingernails, or other hard objects, you’re also putting your teeth at risk.
Grinding your teeth, a condition called bruxism is another cause. It’s especially harmful if you do so at night while you sleep.²
What to Do if a Front Tooth Cracks
The first thing you need to do is rinse your mouth. Use warm water to ensure the area is clean. If the part of the tooth that has chipped is still in your mouth and you can remove it, do so carefully so you don’t end up swallowing it.
It’s essential to stop any bleeding if you have a cracked front tooth. To do this, apply pressure with a clean towel or gauze. But make sure not to rub the area because that can cause more bleeding. If you see that the bleeding doesn’t stop or even increase, turning to medical help as soon as possible is crucial.
To help prevent swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. The next thing you want to do is call your dental professional to help and make an appointment. If you need an emergency dentist in Webster, the team at Empire Dental Care can help.
Treatment Options for Chipped Front Teeth
There are several treatment options for chipped front teeth:
- Dental crowns
- Dental fillings
- Dental veneers
- Dental implants
- Dental bridges
The option we recommend will depend on the damage your tooth has experienced. A dental crown may be the right choice if the damage is significant since it caps the tooth and protects the nerves. In contrast, dental fillings are more appropriate if you only lost a little bit of your tooth, with composite resin making an excellent choice.
You may want to choose veneers for a cosmetically damaged tooth that still has a sound structure. Dental veneers are thin shells we apply to the front of the tooth using dental cement, giving you the aesthetic results you want.
If the damage is significant and we need to remove the entire tooth, including the root, the best option is to get a dental implant. A dental implant functions like your original tooth, with a titanium post that works as the root and holds the false tooth in place.
Dental bridges are also a common option for a missing tooth. They work by affixing a false tooth to two healthy teeth. This serves to “bridge” the gap that a missing tooth creates if the damage is extensive enough to require removal.
Get Help for a Cracked Front Tooth
No matter the extent of the damage, we are here to help you if you have a cracked front tooth. Contact Empire Dental Care today at 585-671-1650 to schedule an appointment.
Sources:
[1] https://www.sportsmedtoday.com/dental-injuries-va-244.htm
