How to Fix a Cracked Tooth

How to Fix a Cracked Tooth - Dr. Boals

How to Fix a Cracked Tooth

Teeth are quite sturdy, and if you take extra good care of them, they can last an entire lifetime. However, they aren’t indestructible, and like all bones, can sustain damage from physical trauma. Whether it’s from biting down on something particularly hard or from a fall, the teeth can and will sustain some level of damage if enough force is applied. Since the teeth are crucial to eating and speaking, cracked teeth can greatly impact your quality of life. 

Dr. Boals, a dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, explains that the teeth are made up of three separate layers. The outer, hardened layer is called the enamel, and it protects the sensitive inner parts of the tooth. A small crack will affect the enamel, but you may not experience sensitivity to sweet foods and temperature. The second layer is the dentin, and once the crack reaches this region, you will definitely experience some sensitivity to temperature and sweet foods. If you don’t visit a dentist in Colorado Springs in time, the crack will grow down to the pulp, the innermost layer of the teeth that houses nerves and blood vessels.  

How Do I Know I Have a Cracked Tooth?

General wear and tear or an injury can result in a cracked tooth, but the crack isn’t always visible. Some cracks are minute and may not require any treatment, but the more extensive cracks that do require some type of dental treatment may result in the following symptoms:

  • Pain that comes and goes when you eat, especially while chewing or biting.
  • Swollen gums around the cracked tooth.
  • Teeth suddenly become sensitive to sweet, hot, or cold foods.
  • Discomfort around the gums and teeth that is hard to pinpoint. 

Dr. Beth Herko, a dentist in New Providence, NJ, says that you may also have a cracked tooth if you bite down too hard on a piece of food, grind your teeth excessively, suffer an injury to your mouth, or have a large existing filling which can weaken the remaining tooth structure. A sudden change in temperature may also result in a cracked tooth. If you drink something hot, let’s say tea, and take a sip of cold water right afterward, the junction between the dentin and the enamel experiences thermal stress which can result in crack formation.

When Should I See My Colorado Springs Dentist?

Some cracks, especially at the front teeth, can be easy to spot and identify. However, it may be a little harder to diagnose a crack in your molars. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above, even if you can’t pinpoint exactly which tooth is causing it, you should seek emergency dental care at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry. Remember, pain is your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right, so don’t ignore it.

Dr. Boals, the best dentist in Colorado Springs CO, encourages you to schedule an appointment at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry if you suspect you have a cracked tooth. He offers some home remedies he says will keep you comfortable until you can see a dentist:

  • Use ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or any other over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce the pain.
  • Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to keep it clean and reduce the risk of infection.
  • Eat softer foods and avoid biting down on the damaged tooth (if you know which one it is).
  • If there is swelling, you can use a cold compress to bring it down. Apply it to your cheek for ten minutes at a time until the swelling goes down.
  • You can also treat the tooth with Dentemp, a product sold at most pharmacies and drug stores. It is designed to temporarily treat chipped teeth until you can see a restorative dentist in Colorado Springs.

Treatment for Cracked Teeth

Most of these self-care tips are only stop-gap measures, and you should see your dentist as soon as you can. The longer it goes untreated, the more difficult it will be for Dr. Boals to save the tooth. Left untreated, an infection may occur, causing increased pain, swelling of the gums, increased sensitivity to temperature and sweet foods, and sore neck glands.

Once your Colorado Springs dentist identifies the cracked tooth and the extent of the damage, they will decide on the most suitable treatment:

  • Fillings are the preferred treatment for small cracks and chips of the enamel. If the cracked tooth is at the front of the mouth, your dentist in Colorado Springs will bond a resin to your tooth, shape it and harden it using UV light.
  • Dental veneers. Thin, custom made tooth-colored resin composite material or porcelain that is applied over the cracked surface of an existing tooth.
  • Dental crowns. If the damage to your tooth is substantial, your dentist may file down the remaining part of the tooth and cover it with a cap or crown designed to protect the tooth, preserve its function and improve aesthetic appearance. 

Cracked and chipped teeth are quite treatable, but if left unchecked, it can lead to tooth loss. While there are things you can do to alleviate any pain, the best thing you could do for your teeth is to visit Kissing Camels Family Dentistry for an evaluation by Dr. Boals. Give us a call today and let our experienced professionals take care of you!

Causes of Tooth Pain

Causes of Tooth Pain -Dr. Boals

Causes of Tooth Pain

Many patients agree that a toothache is the worst type of pain they have ever experienced. Tooth pain is a sign that something is wrong, but what are the causes of tooth pain? So, the sooner you visit Kissing Camels Family Dentistry in Colorado Springs, the sooner we can relieve your pain.

In our experience, the vast majority of toothaches are due to tooth decay or advanced periodontal (gum) disease. Most episodes of tooth pain start when you eat or drink something cold, hot, or sweet. The pain shows that the dental pulp inside the affected tooth has been irritated by what you have just eaten or drank.

What Causes Tooth Pain?

The best way to know what is causing your toothache is to undergo a thorough exam done by your dentist in Colorado Springs, CO. Generally, the issues below can trigger tooth pain:

  • Gum disease
  • Dental infections
  • Trauma to the tooth
  • Bruxism (teeth grinding)
  • Tooth eruption (this applies to babies and school-going kids)
  • Bite issues

What Symptoms Accompany a Toothache?

The specific symptoms that accompany a toothache may vary depending on the underlying cause of the toothache. Dr. Boals, the best dentist in Colorado Springs CO, recommends that you take note of anything out of the ordinary, such as an unusual taste or a discharge from the area around the painful tooth.

Dr. Kristina Neda, a Georgetown KY dentist, highly recommends visiting your local dentist if you notice puss oozing from your tooth or gums, or when your teeth are loose, and tissues are inflamed. 

Why Would I Still Feel Pain Even as My Dentist Says My Teeth and Jaw Are Fine?

The human body manifests pain in many different ways, and sometimes, what you initially describe as tooth pain may be totally different. For example, we have seen cases of patients whose severe stress, heart conditions, or even cancer manifested as tooth pain.

In such a case, your dentist in Colorado Springs may be unable to pinpoint exactly why you are experiencing tooth pain.

Dr. Boals also explains that people suffering from severe allergies can have a lot of pressure exerted upon their sinuses. This pressure can extend to the molars in your upper jaw, and that could trigger tooth pain.

In this situation, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine for allergies. If the allergies subside, but the tooth pain remains, see Dr. Boals as soon as you can.

It is also important for you to provide as much detail as possible when describing your pain to Dr. Boals. Some of the words pointing in this direction include:

  • Tingling
  • Searing
  • Electric
  • Numbness 
  • Burning
  • Stabbing 

Try your best to explain your pain. The more we know, the better we can understand how to treat your pain.

No one should have to live with tooth pain every single day. If you suspect that something doesn’t feel right, pay us a visit at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry. Dr. Boals will examine you and recommend the best course of action so that you can return to peak oral health quickly. Don’t make the costly mistake of thinking the pain is minor, and it can wait. You could end up with serious dental issues! If you’re in need of emergency dentistry, call our office right away!

Everything You Need to Know About Tooth Extractions

Everything You Need to Know About Tooth Extractions - Dr. Boals

Everything You Need to Know About Tooth Extractions

At Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, we always do everything in our power to preserve your natural teeth. However, your dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, may recommend a tooth extraction if your tooth is severely decayed or damaged. If you just found out you need a tooth extraction, Dr. Cody Boal, a CO Springs dentist, shares everything you need to know about tooth extractions. 

Types of Tooth Extraction

At Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, we categorize tooth extractions into two distinct groups, as explained below.

Simple Extractions

When the tooth being extracted is visible inside the mouth, we call this a simple tooth extraction. Tooth extractions in Colorado Springs begin by numbing the targeted tooth and its surrounding tissue so that you will not feel any pain or discomfort during the extraction process. Thereafter, Dr. Boals will extract the tooth. You should never feel any pain during your tooth extraction. So when you visit Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, you will have nothing to worry about!

Surgical Tooth Extraction

A surgical tooth extraction procedure is performed to remove teeth that haven’t erupted or have broken beneath the gum line. Dr. Boals can perform a surgical extraction or refer your case to an oral surgeon if necessary. To extract the tooth, your Colorado Springs dentist will make a small incision in the gum. The tooth may be removed in one piece or cut the tooth into two or more pieces before removing one segment at a time.

When Would I Need Tooth Extraction?

Many reasons may necessitate a tooth extraction procedure, including the following:

  • Badly decayed teeth
  • Delay by baby teeth to fall out so that permanent teeth can erupt
  • Dental infections that destroy most of a tooth or the surrounding bone
  • Extra teeth blocking some teeth from emerging normally
  • Orthodontic treatment (braces, for example) necessitating tooth extraction
  • Severe tooth damage that can’t be fixed with crowns and other restorative procedures
  • Wisdom teeth predicted to cause problems in the future may be removed

What Happens Before Tooth Extraction?

Before your tooth is removed, Dr. Boals will review your dental and medical history in addition to taking dental X-rays. The X-rays give your dentist in Colorado Springs vital information about the shape, length, and position of the tooth so that an appropriate plan can be made for the extraction process. If this review reveals that the procedure will be a complex one, Dr. Boals may refer you to a specialist. 

What Happens During the Tooth Removal?

Before the tooth is extracted, Dr. Boals will administer local anesthetic (for simple tooth extractions) or IV sedation in the case of surgical extractions. As a precautionary measure, you will need a friend or family member to drive you home once the procedure is over. This person should accompany you until the anesthesia wears off.

Once the sedative starts working, the team at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry will proceed to extract the tooth in the manner described earlier for simple extractions and surgical removal.

After the Tooth Extraction

Dr. Boals emphasizes that this is the most important phase of the procedure. It is vital that you follow the instructions given at our Colorado Springs dental office. We asked our friend Dr. Chris Green, a dentist in Parker CO, for recommendations to keep in mind after the tooth extraction:

  • Bite down on a piece of gauze as instructed so that a clot can form and bleeding stops.
  • Don’t smoke, clean the nearby teeth or rinse your mouth vigorously within the first 24 hours after the tooth extraction.
  • Use an ice pack or take the pain medication prescribed by Dr. Boals. Your pain and discomfort should subside in a few days. If it worsens, call your Colorado Springs dentist immediately.
  • Avoid strenuous physical activity, such as jogging or going to the gym, during the first few days after the tooth removal.
  • Don’t use a straw or drink any hot fluids since these can melt or dislodge the clot at the extraction site.

Whether this is your first tooth extraction or your tenth, it’s important to follow before and after instructions given by your Colorado Springs dentist. If you need a professional opinion about tooth extractions, we are more than happy to help!

Everything You Need to Know About Tooth Extractions

Most Common Dental Emergencies

common dental emergencies - Dr. Boals

Most Common Dental Emergencies

You brush after every meal, and you floss at least once a day. You even use a quality mouthwash to rinse debris free from your teeth. This can help to keep your teeth and your mouth healthier and save you from a number of dental concerns. However, try as you might, you simply can’t prepare for dental emergencies.

Just what qualifies as a dental emergency? We’ve gathered a list of the most common dental emergencies treated by our Colorado Springs dentist.

One or More Cracked Teeth

There are a number of ways that a tooth can become cracked. It could be that you bit down hard on something, like ice or nuts. It could also be that you suffer from bruxism, also known as teeth grinding experienced at night. 

A cracked tooth needs to be addressed by your dentist in Colorado Springs as soon as possible. Even if there is no pain, a cracked tooth is at high risk for decay sneaking in. If your tooth becomes infected, there is potential for tooth loss. 

Neglect and advanced decay will likely result in an extraction. If you are a patient who thinks you need your tooth pulled, visit Kissing Camels Family Dentistry for tooth removal in Colorado Springs.  

Accidents and Trauma to a Tooth

Trauma is one of the most common dental emergencies. It quite often leads to the loss of the tooth. Trauma to a tooth can result in a fracture that cannot be seen with the naked eye. It can also lead to the tooth being dislodged.

While a dislodge tooth is not a good thing, the good news is that you can potentially still save the tooth. There is a time crunch, however. Dr. Beth Herko, an emergency dentist in New Providence, NJ, recommends rinsing the tooth with milk or water. Then tuck it inside of your cheek as you make your way to the dentist.

If the tooth is still in good shape, it may be able to be reseated back into the gum. Your dentist will also be able to help treat any pain you’re experiencing.

Tooth and Gum Pain

There are a number of concerns that can result in extreme pain in a tooth or in your gums. It could be that you have an infection in a tooth or an abscess.

Tooth pain should never be ignored, as it could be a simple solution that can get you out of pain. Your Colorado Springs dentist will examine your mouth and may take a few X-rays to better understand what is going on. If necessary, during your emergency dental Colorado Springs visit, the tooth could be extracted if the damage is too severe.

Lost Crowns and Fillings

It is possible for fillings to fall out and crowns to loosen. If this does happen, it’s going to put the rest of your tooth at high risk for damage and advanced decay. If the crown, whether temporary or permanent, is dislodged, try to salvage it. You could potentially set it back over the tooth until you’re able to get to your dentist.

No matter your need, our dental patients in Colorado Springs, CO, can trust in our compassionate expertise. Contact Kissing Camels Family Dentistry to schedule your appointment today.