More often than not, you will know if you have a problem with your teeth. You can feel the pain from a toothache, see the signs of gum disease, and will be able to see and feel the effects of a broken or last tooth. But what about a cracked tooth? It may be hard to believe, but you could have cracked tooth and not even know it. Often, a crack in your tooth may be so small that your dentist may miss it during your exam. In fact, some cracks are so small that they will not even appear on a dental x-ray. Even is a crack is practically invisible, there will still be enough room for bacteria to work its way into your tooth and cause a cavity, or an infection.
So how will you know if you have a crack in one of your teeth? One of the best indicators of a cracked tooth is pain. Keep in mind that you will not feel a constant pain. The main may be sharp or dull, but it will be brief. More than likely, you will experience it when you bite down on, or chew something, or if your tooth is exposed to heat, cold or something sweet. You should make a note of what you were doing when you felt the pain, and where it occurred in your mouth. That will give your dentist a good place to start looking. Depending on the damage, your dentist may be able to fix the problem with a crown or a filling. If the damage is too severe, you may also need a root canal.
If you are experiencing intermittent pain in your teeth, then it is time you talked with our dentist, Dr. Keith Dodge. If you live in the Orem, Utah area and would like to make an appointment at Dodge Family Dental, call 801-225-8060 today and we’ll get you in as soon as we can. Let’s get you on your way to a healthy smile!