How to Deal with a Cracked or Chipped Tooth

A chipped tooth can occur at any time and under any conditions and in the most inconvenient place. While there are many instances where a cracked tooth or chipped tooth will indeed produce obvious symptoms there are other cases where an individual may not even know that they have a chipped tooth. When there are symptoms of a tooth that is chipped it can include anything from swelling of the gums in the immediate area of the affected tooth to pain that is intermittent as opposed to being continuous. In addition, sensitivity to cold or heat or even sweetness can be a clear indication that a tooth is cracked or chipped. 

Tooth Has Been Injured 

In addition, pain when chewing or biting especially when the bite is released may indicate that a tooth is chipped or cracked. The good news is that there are many ways to diagnose a chipped tooth that has a crack or simply a tooth that is damaged even without a chip. For example, while x-rays do not always reveal a crack, there are other ways that a dentist can determine if a tooth has been injured in this way. The dentist may want to know if you routinely chew on hard foods or grind your teeth. Your dental care provider could also conduct a detailed visual examination using a magnification lens as a way to inspect for tiny cracks. 

Located Below the Gum Line 

More simply, the dentist may be able to feel for a crack or a chip. In some cases, the dentist could even decide to use dental dye which will allow a crack to stand out and make it more obvious. It is also possible to inspect the gums to check for any potential inflammation. This is one of the best ways to determine if a vertical crack is located below the gum line. X-rays should not be overlooked as a good option for detecting a crack or chip. Finally, the dentist may have you bite down on something to determine if there is any pain present. Contact your dentist in Stockton, Sajjad Rizvi, DDS at Happy Kids Dental today to know more on how to deal with a cracked or chipped tooth. 

References:
[1] Dealing With A Cracked Tooth
[2] How To Deal With A Chipped Tooth