A broken tooth can happen from biting a hard snack, taking a fall, or grinding your teeth at night. If you have a broken tooth in Blythewood, SC, the discomfort can distract you at school, at work, and even while you sleep.
Call Blythewood Village Dentistry at 803-653-6331 for an appointment.
Many people describe broken tooth pain as a sudden, sharp sting. It may feel like a quick shock when cold air, cold drinks, or sweet foods touch the damaged area. Some people mostly feel pain when chewing. The tooth can pinch when you bite down, then ease up when you remove pressure.
Others feel a dull ache that won’t fully go away. This steady soreness can spread into the jaw and make it hard to focus or relax.
A chipped or cracked edge can also feel rough. It may rub your tongue or cheek and leave your mouth feeling irritated all day.
You might notice the tooth feels “different” when your teeth come together. It can feel sensitive even with light tapping, like the tooth is bruised.
A crack can grow over time, especially if you keep chewing on that side. Each bite adds stress to the weak spot and can slowly widen the break. As the damage opens up, deeper layers of the tooth can become exposed. That can make a broken tooth in Blythewood feel more sensitive to heat, cold, and pressure than it did at first.
Small breaks can also trap food. When food packs into the crack, it can press on the sore area and trigger more pain. Germs may slip into the crack and irritate the nerve. When that happens, pain can change from quick stings to throbbing that may wake you up at night.
People often start chewing on one side without noticing. This can strain your jaw muscles, make your bite feel uneven, and even lead to headaches.
A dental crown is a protective cap that covers the damaged tooth. It helps hold the tooth together and lowers the chance the crack will spread further.
A crown can also block hot, cold, and sweet triggers from reaching sensitive areas. With the tooth sealed and supported, eating and drinking often becomes more comfortable.
Crowns restore the tooth’s shape, so your bite fits correctly again. When your bite is balanced, you’re less likely to keep hitting the sore tooth in a painful way.
In some cases, the dentist may need to treat the inside of the tooth first if the nerve is badly irritated. After that, the crown protects the tooth and helps prevent repeat pain.
Getting help sooner can prevent bigger problems later. Treating a broken tooth in Blythewood early may reduce the risk of infection or the need for more complex treatment.
Try not to chew on the painful side until you are seen. Avoid very hot, very cold, or sticky foods that can pull or press on the tooth. If the tooth has a sharp edge, dental wax from a pharmacy can help cover it for comfort. Gentle rinsing and careful brushing can also help keep the area clean.
If you think you may have a broken tooth in Blythewood, SC, don’t wait for the pain to get worse.
Call Blythewood Village Dentistry at 803-653-6331 to schedule an appointment. You can also schedule online.
