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Cracked Teeth: More than Just a Pain in the Mouth

cracked teethIf you’ve ever cracked a tooth, you know how much they can hurt. The pain that comes with splitting a tooth is sometimes sharp, sometimes dull and aching, but always unmistakable.

However, for many in our Parma Heights, Ohio, community, sometimes fear of the dentist or reluctance to spend the money on the necessary repairs will keep people from making an appointment to correct the problem.

Neglecting to obtain proper dental care for a broken tooth can of course lead to more pain and an inevitable extraction, but did you know it can also lead to potentially dangerous issues throughout the entire body?

The Dangers of Cracked Teeth

The primary danger of leaving a cracked tooth in your mouth is it greatly increases your risk of developing an abscess.

How?

When a break or cavity in a tooth exposes a nerve, the nerve then dies and causes the cells inside of the tissue to die and release their contents. This creates a backup of gases internally and the collection of purulent exudate, more commonly known as pus. The presence of this pus in the spots that have lack of space between hard bone and hard tooth often causes great pain, but not always, which is why regular dental care is so important. Left untreated, abscesses can lead to tooth loss and more.

The Dangers of Abscess

The loss of a tooth is bad enough, but an untreated abscess can lead to even further complications. Some of the most potentially dangerous side effects of abscess include:

  • Sinusitis

An infection in the nearby sinuses

  • Osteomyelitis

An infection in nearby bone tissue

  • Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis

A very serious infection and clotting of blood vessels in the brain

  • Sepsis

A very serious infection of the blood

Although these complications of abscess are very rare, they can be potentially deadly and need to be taken very seriously. If you experience tooth problems in conjunction with symptoms such as sudden high fever, difficulty opening your mouth, swallowing, or breathing, swelling of the mouth, face, or jaw, or feelings of severe pain despite taking a maximum dose of painkillers, seek emergency care immediately.

Abscess and Body-Wide Inflammation

Although not as immediately serious as the aforementioned abscess side effects, another more insidious potential complication is body-wide inflammation. As our bodies try to fend off the invasion of foreign bodies in our mouths, our immune systems go into overdrive, which creates inflammation. Recent studies have shown that this systematic inflammation contributes to the development of several serious conditions including cardiovascular problems such as heart disease, blockages, and strokes, as well as inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

More Resources about Cracked Teeth

Should I Be Concerned About Small Cracks in My Teeth? – More info from Dr. Kenneth J. Wolnik in Parma Heights, Ohio.

Fix Cracked Teeth in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Suffering from cracked teeth? Visit our dental office in Parma Heights, Ohio.

CEREC: One-Visit Dentistry

Full Mouth Reconstruction

Preventing Cracked Teeth

Although experiencing tooth cracking is not completely preventable, there are several steps you can take to lesson the chances of starting this potentially serious chain reaction in your body.

  • Don’t Chew Hard Objects

Such as ice, unpopped popcorn kernels, or pens

  • Don’t Clench or Grind Your Teeth

If you do clench or grind your teeth involuntarily while you sleep, discuss your options with your dentist. He or she can fit you with a good retainer or mouthguard to help protect your teeth

  • Play Safe

Always wear a mouthguard or protective mask when playing contact sports

  • Use Good Oral Hygiene

Cut down your risk of cracks caused by decay with twice daily brushing, flossing, and mouth rinses

  • Keep Dental Appointments

Be sure to keep all dental appointments, including twice-yearly cleanings

If you do end up experiencing any cracking or breaking of your teeth, contact your local Cuyahoga County dentist immediately. In many cases, broken teeth can be fixed if they are attended to properly. Don’t run the risk of developing serious complications-get your cracked tooth fixed as soon as possible!

Kenneth J. Wolnik, DDSParma Heights Dental Services

Need to fix a cracked tooth? We can help! Visit our dental office in Parma Heights, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County for a quick solution! We offer advanced pain management, including Single Tooth Anesthesia (STA) to make your visit quick and comfortable.

Contact Us

Have a question for Dr. Kenneth J. Wolnik about a cracked or broken tooth, or about your oral health in general?

Please contact Dr. Kennth J. Wolnik online or at:

Address
6363 York Rd, Ste 202
Parma Heights, OH 44130

Phone
(440) 888-5055

(440) 888-5055

Email
[email protected]

Office Hours
Monday: 7:00am – 4:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Friday: 7:30am – 1:00pm

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