You should never leave a cracked tooth “as-is” in your mouth, as it can directly lead to other oral health issues beyond itself. But if by chance you have been dealing with a cracked tooth and it opens while you are chewing on a meal, what should you expect?
Pain and Suffering
One of the immediate results of having a cracked tooth open while chewing is that the sensitive nerve tissues and endings underneath will be exposed to whatever you are currently eating. The dentin and enamel inside your mouth normally protect them and prevent this from happening, but without them, you will end up taking a bite directly onto a poor, unprepared nerve.
You may also become far more at risk of infection, depending on the type of crack. If it is a partial crack, it might close over the meal morsel, preventing it from exiting the wound and allowing it to sit directly on top of the nerves, festering as hungry bacteria work on breaking it down into usable fuel and acids that splash directly over the nerve.
This can even lead to a dental abscess, which is a cystic sac inside of your mouth that fills up with fluids, pus, and other disgusting, highly contagious oral cultures. At that point, it isn’t just dangerous to your mouth, as the infection can rupture into your bloodstream and travel throughout your entire body, causing worse damage, severe illness, and potentially even death.
If you or someone you love are suffering from a cracked tooth, please immediately give us a call and request to set up an urgent appointment. The sooner we treat your mouth, the better the prognosis for long term health, even if you aren’t currently feeling the repercussions.