Mouthwash can be helpful in treating a cracked tooth, depending on the severity of the crack and other factors such as the type of mouthwash being used. If the crack is very small and superficial, a mouthwash that contains an antiseptic such as chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) can disinfect the area and help reduce pain and swelling.
If the crack is deeper and more serious, a mouthwash with fluoride can help strengthen the tooth and help protect it from further damage. However, it is important to remember that mouthwash should not be used as an independent treatment for a cracked tooth, and should only be used in conjunction with other treatments such as a dental crown or filling.
In addition, it is important to speak with a dentist about the best course of treatment for your particular situation, as they will be able to advise on the most effective form of treatment.
What to avoid when you have a cracked tooth?
If you have a cracked tooth, it is important to take extra care to avoid any activities that may cause further damage. Here are some things to avoid:
• Eating hard or crunchy foods – crunchy and hard foods like chips, nuts, and hard candy can put further strain on the damaged tooth. You should also avoid using that tooth for chewing or biting.
• Chewing tobacco or smoking – tobacco products and smoking can irritate the damaged tissues and lead to further tooth fracture or sensitivity.
• Drinking hot or cold beverages – temperatures that are too hot or cold can cause further damage and pain. It’s best to stick to room-temperature drinks.
• Grinding/clenching your teeth – teeth grinding and clenching can cause your teeth to become weak and prone to further damage. Try to be aware of these bad habits and stop them if necessary.
• Brushing too hard – brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can agitate the cracked tooth and cause further damage. It’s best to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently.
Avoiding these activities will help to protect your damaged tooth and reduce the chance of further complication or damage. If you have any symptoms from a cracked tooth, you should be sure to see your dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
How do you clean a cracked tooth?
Cleaning a cracked tooth depends largely on the severity of the crack. For example, if the crack is quite deep or it requires a significant amount of enamel restoration, you may need to visit a dentist for a professional cleaning.
However, if the crack is shallow and doesn’t require any enamel restoration, you can attempt to clean it yourself with an over-the-counter dental cleaner. Start by brushing your tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste.
Additionally, use mouthwash to reduce bacteria buildup. You may also want to use floss to gently clean around the crack. Make sure to move the floss carefully and avoid going too far into the crack itself.
If the crack is too deep and the floss interferes, you should visit your dentist. If the crack has bacteria buildup, your dentist may clean it more thoroughly with a technique known as debridement. This technique involves removing the sticky plaque and tartar buildup with a sharp instrument.
Lastly, your dentist may seal the crack or treat the cavity to prevent any further damage.
What makes a cracked tooth worse?
A cracked tooth can worsen due to a variety of factors. For instance, if the tooth is not treated in time, bacteria can enter the inside of the tooth and cause further damage by eating away at the enamel and dentin.
Additionally, grinding the teeth or clenching your jaw during sleep, can put more stress on the cracked tooth, increasing the person’s risk for further damage to the tooth. Teeth that are already weakened by deep decay or a procedure such as a root canal can put the person at even higher risk if a crack is not properly addressed.
Chewing on hard or crunchy objects or even playing contact sports can also increase the likelihood of worsening a cracked tooth due to the added stress that occurs when large amounts of force are applied to it.
Without proper and timely treatment, a cracked tooth can deteriorate quickly and lead to a severe infection or an extraction.
Should I brush a cracked tooth?
If you have a cracked tooth, you should always contact your dentist right away. While you wait to be able to see your dentist, you may feel some discomfort and can brush your teeth to help ease the pain.
However, you should be very gentle when brushing the cracked tooth. Generally, it is best to stick to brushing your teeth normally, avoiding the cracked tooth as much as possible. Avoid using any mouthwashes or any other products that could aggravate the crack.
If you experience significant pain when brushing your teeth, it is best to contact your dentist immediately so that they can assess the damage and recommend a treatment plan.
How do I know if my cracked tooth is infected?
If your cracked tooth is infected, there are a few signs and symptoms that you may experience. If the infection is advanced and severe, you may possibly experience pain, inflammation, swelling, pressure, or abscesses.
You might also experience a fever, general malaise (feeling unwell), and bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth. Additionally, you may also experience your gum tissue becoming tender, red and swollen.
If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, you should visit your dentist right away. Your dentist will be able to diagnose the problem and recommend the most appropriate treatment to get your cracked tooth treated and to eliminate the infection.
Will a cracked tooth get infected?
A cracked tooth may or may not get infected. If a crack is large enough, it can lead to inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the tooth, which can in turn lead to infection. Smaller cracks may also allow bacteria to enter, but infection is less likely in these cases.
Some cracks can even create a space between the tooth and gum line which can trap food and bacteria and lead to infection.
It is important to have any cracked tooth seen by a dentist as soon as possible. The dentist will evaluate the tooth and determine if any treatment is needed. Treatment for a cracked tooth may include crowns, root canals, or extraction.
The dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to help prevent infection and reduce pain and inflammation.
What should I eat if I cracked my tooth?
If you have cracked your tooth, it is best to avoid foods that could further damage the tooth, such as hard or crunchy foods, and stick to softer foods that do not require much chewing, such as mashed potatoes, smoothies, soft-boiled eggs, yogurt, applesauce, soft-cooked grains and cereals, refried beans, or soup.
Additionally, cold foods and drinks may help numb the tooth to provide some relief. It is also important to avoid sticky, sugary, and acidic foods, as these can worsen the pain of a cracked tooth and can make it more difficult for a dentist to treat.
Additionally, you should avoid chewing with the area of the cracked tooth to prevent any further damage. Furthermore, you should make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible, as they can provide more specific advice and appropriate treatment.
Should I use mouthwash if my tooth hurts?
While mouthwash can be beneficial to oral hygiene, it is not a suitable replacement for dental treatment if your tooth is causing you pain. Pain could be an indication of something more serious such as an infection requiring antibiotics or root canal therapy.
Furthermore, most mouthwashes contain alcohol which can be quite harsh and should not be used on sensitive tissue like a sore tooth.
It is best to visit your dentist and get an accurate diagnosis if you are experiencing any type of tooth pain. Your dentist can recommend the best course of treatment, which may involve taking antibiotics, receiving a root canal, or simply having a cavity filled.
Depending on the cause of your toothache, your dentist may also suggest that you use a mouthwash for additional oral hygiene benefits.
In summary, mouthwash is not an appropriate treatment for a toothache and should not be used until you get professional dental care. It is best to visit your dentist as soon as possible if you are experiencing any type of pain as it could be a sign of a more serious issue which requires immediate attention.
How do you get rid of a toothache from a cracked tooth?
Treating a toothache caused by a cracked tooth can be a difficult and lengthy process, depending on the extent of the crack. If the crack is minor, your dentist may be able to fill the area with a filling.
In more severe cases, when the crack is much larger, your dentist may need to crown the tooth or even to remove it altogether.
If you are experiencing significant pain or discomfort from the crack, your dentist may recommend taking pain relief medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for relief. You can also use a topical numbing gel or warm saltwater rinses.
If the toothache persists after taking pain relief medications, your dentist may recommend using a root canal treatment, which can remove any infection from the root of the tooth and helps repair the damage done by the crack.
After the root canal treatment, the dentist may put a crown, bridge or implant to replace the damaged tooth.
In any case, it is important to visit your dentist as soon as possible to diagnose the exact cause of the toothache and get the right treatment.
Why do cracked teeth hurt so much?
Cracked teeth can cause a great deal of pain because the crack can expose sensitive inner tissues of the tooth, such as the pulp or root, to harmful bacteria and other debris. This can cause infection and inflammation, leading to a great deal of discomfort.
Bacteria and debris can also travel easily through the cracks, entering the pulp of the tooth and leading to more pain. Additionally, when someone with a cracked tooth bites down on something, the crack can cause pressure and sensitivity, leading to pain.
Hard and crunchy foods and drinks can also cause pain because they are more likely to become stuck in the crack, leading to increased sensitivity.
Does a cracked tooth need to be pulled?
It depends on the severity of the crack. If the crack runs underneath the gumline, the tooth needs to be extracted. However, if the cracked tooth is only superficial, there are other treatment options such as a filling, dental crown, or root canal.
A dentist can evaluate the damage to determine the best course of action. With proper care, a cracked tooth can potentially be saved without the need for extraction. The best way to prevent a cracked tooth is to take good care of your oral health, including brushing and flossing every day and visiting your dentist frequently.
Can a cracked tooth heal by itself?
No, a cracked tooth cannot heal by itself. Cracked teeth need to be professionally treated in order to prevent further damage and decay. Depending on the extent of the crack, the dentist may need to perform a minor dental procedure, such as bonding the crack, or a more extensive procedure, such as a root canal and/or crown, to repair the crack.
In some cases, the tooth may need to be extracted completely if the damage is too severe. Regardless, it is important to contact your dentist as soon as you feel a crack so that they can diagnose the issue and provide treatment.
Is a painful cracked tooth an emergency?
Whether or not a painful cracked tooth is an emergency depends on the severity of the crack and the intensity of the pain. Generally speaking, a cracked tooth can range from a tiny shallow fracture to a large fracture that extends into the root of the tooth.
If the pain is unbearable and accompanied by swelling, you should definitely seek emergency dental care. In this situation, the crack may have damaged the pulp of the tooth – the soft tissue in the center of the tooth – or the infection could have already spread to the surrounding gum tissue and bone supporting the tooth.
If the crack is particularly severe and can no longer be restored with a filling, a root canal may be necessary to save the tooth.
In cases where the crack is not very deep with no pain associated, it can be monitored over time by the dentist and treated as a non-emergency. However, if the pain begins to worsen, it is important to make an appointment to ensure that the crack has not become more severe.
Does a cracked tooth hurt all the time?
No, a cracked tooth does not always hurt. Depending on the severity of the crack, some cracked teeth may cause pain while eating or drinking hot or cold food. If the crack is severe enough, it can also cause sharp or dull pain when you bite down.
Some cracks are not easily seen and may not cause pain but can still lead to infection or decay. It is important to have your cracked tooth evaluated by a dentist to determine the cause of the crack and to determine the best course of treatment.
In some cases, a filling, crown, or root canal may be necessary to treat the cracked tooth.
