There’s a Crack In My Tooth. What Are the Risks?

Although a small crack in your tooth may not seem like a big deal, it certainly can be. If you have a cracked tooth, it’s important to see a dentist in Katy or Houston TX. Below are some of the problems that can happen if you crack tooth and fail to get dental care.

Infection in the Tooth

A crack in your tooth enamel can trap bacteria, which can be very difficult to clean through standard cleaning. When bacteria grows unchecked, this can eventually lead to a tooth infection. If the infection grows out of control, an abscess can form. An abscess is a pocket of pus that’s caused by a bacterial infection. They’re painful and can also be dangerous, because infection can spread to other parts of the body.

Tooth May Split In Two

If the crack is bad enough, the tooth enamel could eventually split in two – especially if the tooth enamel is weakened by tooth decay. This kind of damage can be painful, and can leave some people feeling self-conscious.

Dental Extraction

Infections that are caught early enough can be treated with a root canal. During a root canal, the infected pulp in the tooth is removed, and the remaining tooth is disinfected and filled with sealer. However, if a tooth infection is not treated early on, your dentist may choose to extract your tooth. This is a worst-case scenario, but it’s definitely one that happens from time to time. It’s better to get early treatment for a crack in your tooth.

If you have a cracked tooth, you may even be having a dental emergency in Katy and Houston TX. Call your dentist at Chloe Dental to get next steps.