Toothaches can be a major pain – symptoms and procedures

If you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, please call 911 now!

Cracked (Fractured) Teeth
There is no way to treat a cracked tooth at home. You need to see your dentist. Sometimes the tooth looks fine, but it hurts only when you eat or when the temperature in your mouth changes (because you drank something hot or cold, for example). If your tooth hurts all the time, it may have a damaged nerve or blood vessels. This is a serious warning sign.

Broken Teeth
If you have a broken tooth, see an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can figure out if the break was caused by cavities, and if the tooth’s nerve is in danger. A damaged nerve usually will require root canal treatment.

Cracked Tooth
This type of fracture involves the whole tooth, from the chewing surface all the way down to the nerve. The pieces remain in place, but the crack gradually spreads. Cracks can sometimes be repaired with filling material. The tooth often will need a crown to prevent the crack from getting worse. If the pulp (nerve and other live tissues) is damaged, you may need a root canal as well.

Split Tooth
This means that the tooth has split vertically into two separate parts. Some teeth, such as your back teeth (molars), have more than one root. It may be possible to keep one of the roots, which will then be covered with a crown. First, you will need root canal treatment. Second, the dentist will remove any roots that cannot be kept. Third, you will need a crown to cover the root and replace the tooth. In some cases, when a root cannot be saved, the tooth will have to be removed.

Until you get to the emergency dental office:

-  Rinse your mouth well with warm water.
-  Apply pressure with a piece of gauze on any bleeding areas for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. If this doesn’t work, use a tea bag with pressure on the area to stop the bleeding.
-  Apply a cold pack to the cheek or lips over the broken tooth. This will help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
-  Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.