What are Teeth?
You chew your food with them, they work in conjunction with your lips and tongue to produce speech, and, hopefully, you brush them at least twice a day and floss them once a day. But what are teeth? What’s in a tooth? Learn more below!
Structure of a Tooth
Many people confuse teeth with bone or don’t take the time to know what they are or what they’re made of, but understanding your teeth is the first step to properly caring for them.
If You’re in Pain…
If a cracked tooth hurts all the time, it may be a more serious sign that the crack has begun to affect blood vessels and soft tissue in your mouth. Minor cracks, also known as “craze lines,” may only affect the enamel of the tooth and do not necessarily need much treatment. They cause minimal pain, and are fairly common in older adults. Your dentist can polish it, which may make it look better. Molars are more vulnerable/susceptible to cracks because they absorb most of the pressure from chewing. If you do have a cracked tooth, avoid chewing on the side of the mouth with the crack, as chewing can open the crack and irritate the gums underneath. If the crack progresses to the root, you may need a tooth extraction, as the cracked tooth is at risk for infection.
Chipped teeth are among the most common dental injury and can easily be repaired by either reattaching the broken piece or creating a filling, crown, or cap to attach in its place. They can, however, be painful or dangerous, depending on the size of the chip. If the chip is too close to the inner layers of the tooth, pain will be more severe and more damage may be inflicted on the tooth itself. Occasionally, the cusp of a tooth can also chip or fracture. Cusps are the “chewing” or part of a back tooth, and can fracture or chip if put under too much pressure. These fractures are rarely painful, but normally require a crown when treated.
Visit Us!
The best thing to do if you have a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth is to visit us at Justice Dental as soon as possible, so the problem doesn’t have as much time to progress. However, if you’re experiencing severe pain from a broken tooth and can’t get to a local lexington KY dentist immediately, biting on a moist cloth may help alleviate some of the pain. Meanwhile, temporarily sealing the crack with dental cement, which is available at most drugstores, can help protect the tooth until your appointment.
To prevent cracking, chipping, or breaking:
- Don’t chew hard candies or ice
- Don’t grind your teeth
- Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports
Remember…
Broken teeth shouldn’t be able to ruin your smile. Are you suffering from broken teeth? We can help. Take care of your teeth by brushing with a quality toothpaste daily, as well as flossing. Stop by and see us at Justice Dental in Lexington, Kentucky for professional cleanings at least twice a year to ensure that you have not only a beautiful smile, but a healthy smile. Your smile is as unique as you are, and we want to help you protect it.
We’re Not Your Average Lexington KY Dentist
From the moment you step into our office you’ll quickly realize that this isn’t your average Lexington, Kentucky dentist office. Our mission is to deliver the very best cosmetic and whole health, anti-aging dentistry by creating natural, beautiful and healthy smiles.
We promise to keep customer service and patient comfort as our top priority, all while delivering the very best treatments and procedures available today in any Lexington dentist – whether it’s delivering the perfect smile, reconstructing your whole mouth, or helping you identify or prevent whole health wellness.
We are world class, proudly nestled right here in Lexington, KY. From one of the top 25 dentists in the nation to handpicked teams of doctors, hygienists, surgeons and dental specialists – we create natural, beautiful, and healthy smiles which function with optimal comfort and durability.
Contact us today, and learn more about how we can help you design your perfect smile!
