Although a majority of people know the importance of dental care, there is a large number of people that will avoid going to see a dentist unless they think it is absolutely necessary. Thus, a few dental issues can go ignored or underrated under the false impression that they are not as serious as, for example, an exacerbated cavity. One dental problem that may seem minor on the surface but is highly threatening to the health of your teeth is a crack.
What some individuals may be unaware of regarding their teeth is that these structures are layered. The enamel covers the dentin, which is protecting the pulp that is located at the core of the structure. Hence, once the enamel is jeopardised, so are the subsequent elements that make up your tooth. Here are some of the essential things that you need to know about having a cracked tooth.
What are the hazards of having a cracked tooth?
The main thing to understand about cracks in your teeth is that while some may be painful enough to prompt you to visit your dentist, some cracks are painless. These are the cracks to be wary of because you will be presuming you do not need professional dental care while putting the entire tooth at risk of various hazards.
First, no matter how minute the crack appears to be, you should take into consideration that your teeth are in use every single time you eat. When this damaged tooth is exposed to hard foodstuffs consistently, the crack is bound to worsen. Therefore, what started as a minor break in the enamel will become wider and deeper progressively.
Second, once your tooth is cracked, it means the enamel is no longer as smooth as it was before. And if the crack is rugged, it is likely that the tissue in your inner cheeks will be harmed too. If bacteria makes its way into the open tissue, you become at risk of developing sores, abscesses and other oral problems.
Speaking of bacteria, the third reason why a crack in your tooth should have you seeing a dentist soon is that there is the likelihood of bacteria making its way into your pulp. Once the pulp is infected, the bacteria can travel into your gum line too, causing bleeding and possible tooth loss. Therefore, if you tend to avoid visits to the dentist unless you deem it necessary, then you should treat a crack in your tooth as a serious threat to your oral health.
Share29 January 2019
As you age, it can become harder to take care of your teeth. Motor challenges can make it hard to floss, while memory issues may make it easy to overlook brushing. Whether you are a senior looking for solutions to some of the common dental problems or a senior with specific questions about cavities or oral surgery, you have come to the right place. In this blog, I am going to touch on a range of topics related to seniors and oral health. This is the type of resource I wish my mum would have had access to in her senior years, and I hope you enjoy having access to it during yours. I appreciate you reading my posts.
