Often, a problem with your teeth or your mouth is obvious. You may feel pain, pressure or discomfort, or the problem may be visible. However, if you are dealing with cracked tooth syndrome, you may not even be aware of it at first. In fact, in some cases, the crack in your teeth may be so small that it doesn’t show up during a regular exam, or even on an x-ray! You may only notice it when you chew or bite down, and even then, the pain may only last for an instant. This is known as cracked tooth syndrome. Your molars and premolars, and teeth that have large fillings or have had root canals are more prone to cracked tooth syndrome than other teeth.
If the condition is not treated, the crack could grow larger. That could lead to an infection, or part of your tooth breaking off.
If you are experiencing pain in your teeth that is intermittent, or that you cannot easily attribute to a cause, you might have a cracked tooth. You should make a note of when the pain occurred, what tooth was affected and what you were eating, drinking or doing at the time. This will help the dentist to locate and treat the crack. The course of treatment could vary depending on the location and severity of the crack. Your dentist will discuss your options with you after an exam.
If you think that you may have a cracked tooth, if you have another dental need or you are just looking for a family dentist, why not take the time to meet Dr. Christopher Rouse? You can make an appointment at Flatrock Family Dentistry in Greenville, South Carolina, by calling (864) 756-5576. We look forward to helping you enhance and protect your smile.