If you have a broken or cracked tooth, then it may feel jagged and sharp. A cracked tooth can be detrimental to your oral health in various ways, and it needs to be evaluated and treated by your dentist as soon as possible. While your cracked tooth may not cause any pain or other symptoms, it still needs to be addressed. Here are some interventions your dentist may recommend if you have a jagged tooth.

Oral Injury Prevention

One of the biggest dangers of having a broken tooth is that its edges can be very sharp. This puts you at risk of cutting your tongue, which can be painful, lead to infection, and cause profuse bleeding. The tongue is very vascular as it contains many tiny blood vessels. If it gets cut, it may bleed heavily, and the bleeding may be hard to stop. To help smooth out the edges of your jagged tooth, your dentist can apply a special resin material over the sharp areas so that oral injuries may be less likely to occur.

While your dentist can apply bonding material over the jagged or broken areas of your tooth, they will need to determine why your tooth has broken in the first place, and because of this, they may recommend x-rays and a comprehensive examination. It is important to note that if you cut your tongue on a tooth, apply firm pressure with a piece of sterile gauze or a clean washcloth for at least a few minutes. If the bleeding persists, seek emergency medical or dental care.

Crowns Or Extraction

Dental crowns may be another solution to your cracked or broken tooth. A crown is often called a dental jacket because it fits over your tooth. The crown not only prevents the sharp edges of your broken tooth from causing oral injuries, but it can also help prevent cavity-causing bacteria from getting inside your tooth through the crack or break. If your tooth is not salvageable because a large portion has broken off, your dentist may recommend extraction.

After your tooth has been extracted, your dentist may recommend a dental implant to fill the empty space. This will help prevent shifting and crowding of your other teeth, which can cause an abnormal bite and raise your risk for toothaches and enamel damage.

If you crack or break a tooth schedule an appointment with your dentist. Early treatment of a broken tooth can help save it from extraction, maintain your bite, and possibly prevent the need for future extensive dental procedures. Contact a local dentist to learn more.