How to Deal with a Cracked Tooth Until You Can See an Emergency Dentist

One certain thing is accidents happen, and when they do, they can leave you with an injury. The injury can be in your oral cavity, and you might notice that one of your teeth is cracked. What do you do? Cracking a tooth is considered a dental emergency. This is because breaking a tooth can cause immense pain, bleeding, and tooth loss. Therefore, going to the emergency dentist in Kearney, NE, as soon as possible would be best. But what should you do if you call the emergency dentist near you and they don’t respond? The information below will help you know what to do with a cracked tooth.

Types of Cracked Teeth

Here are the different types of cracked teeth:

• Craze lines are small cracks in the tooth’s enamel and cause no pain.
• Fractured cusp: this is where there is a crack close to a dental filling. There’s no pain experienced with this crack.
• Split tooth: this is where the crack leads to the separation of a tooth into two segments.

Evaluate The Damage

An accident can leave your tooth with a bigger crack than cracking your tooth on a piece of food. You can apply a cold compress on the injured part if the latter happens. On the other hand, seeking dental emergency care is essential if you’re involved in an accident that leaves you with a cracked tooth.

However, if the emergency dentist is unavailable, you can dip the cracked tooth in milk. The advantage of dipping it in milk is that it preserves the tooth’s nutrients, ensuring the tooth’s survival until you can see the emergency dentist in Platte Valley Dental Clinic.

Keep The Cracked Area Clean

It is essential that you keep the cracked area free from dirt and any other particles. This is because the cracked area of your tooth can be a point of entry for germs and bacteria. When germs and bacteria enter your tooth, they can cause more damage than having a cracked tooth. So, wash your hand thoroughly and then begin cleaning the area.

You can mix water and hydrogen peroxide in equal measurements and rinse your mouth with the solution. Next, mix some warm water with salt and gaggle the solution. A saltwater solution helps to kill any bacteria present in your mouth. Next, you can pack the affected area with clean gauze to control bleeding.

You should ensure that you rinse your mouth after every meal and consult with the dentist in Kearney, NE, on how to brush your teeth with a cracked tooth.

Manage the Pain

Cracking a tooth can be quite painful, and the pain can even make it hard for you to know what to do at the moment. You might also notice that your gums are swollen due to the cracking. So, to keep the pain in check, place a pack of ice over the cheek where you have the cracked tooth for a few minutes. You can repeat this process after some time until the pain subsides.

Another way of managing the pain caused by a cracked tooth is by buying over-the-counter painkillers. However, it would be best if you did not take any painkillers that have aspirin. The reason is aspirin is acidic and will therefore burn your gums. On top of that, aspirin can irritate other soft tissues that were injured during the trauma or accident. So, be mindful of the type of over-counter painkiller you’re buying.

You can also opt for home remedies. Some of them include applying clove oil or fresh crushed garlic over the affected tooth. Nevertheless, be mindful of signs of infection like neck, cheek, ear or face swelling. These symptoms might indicate severe infection, which calls for immediate dental care.

Another way you can deal with a cracked tooth at home is by sleeping with your head elevated. This can be a suitable option if you have controlled the bleeding or there’s little bleeding from your cracked tooth. In addition, sleeping in this position reduces pressure around your teeth and jaw.

Additionally, you may choose to floss around the cracked tooth. The good thing with flossing is that it removes any plaque, reducing some of the pain in the meantime. When flossing, ensure you don’t apply too much pressure as it can irritate the already injured tissues causing more pain and bleeding.