Nowadays, people still struggle with tooth decay and dental cavities much more than other dental emergencies. Dental cavities can be caused due to different reasons, and poor oral hygiene is the most important. Anyway, it’s essential to visit an emergency dentist as soon as you notice signs of tooth decay and black cavities on your tooth to save the shine of your smile. According to an experienced emergency dentist in Oakville, fortunately, 80% of people visit emergency dental clinics on time. The following infographic shows the percentage of emergency dental issues in Oakville, Ontario, which is published by the professional and dedicated team at Smile Point Dental.
One of the most prevalent treatments that many have experienced is dental fillings, used to treat dental cavities and prevent tooth decay from spreading. After getting dental fillings, it’s essential to understand you need to carefully take care of them as your fillings can be cracked due to different causes. A dental filling is subject to wear and tear, leading to more serious dental emergencies. People with damaged dental fillings usually find their fillings cracked by experiencing a severe toothache or other signs. So here we list some usual symptoms of a cracked dental filling, helping you to understand you need to visit an emergency dentist for the sake of your oral health.
Table of Contents
Why does a dental filling become cracked?
Some common reasons can make your dental filling loose, fall out or crack, including:
- Dental traumas or a blow to the mouth
- Tooth decay under the dental filling
- A fracture in the tooth with a dental filling
- Damaging habits like tooth grinding or using your teeth as tools
What are the common signs of a cracked dental filling?
The primary responsibility of a dental filling is to prevent other healthy teeth from being decayed and protect the treated tooth from pressure, heat, cold and harmful bacteria. When your dental filling is loosened or broken, the vulnerable part of your damaged tooth will be exposed, which can lead to serious dental emergencies. Here are some common signs of a cracked filling that tell you to visit an emergency dentist:
- Severe tooth sensitivity: if you feel sharp, severe toothache when you eat cold, hot, sugary, or acidic foods, your dental filling may be cracked. The food particles can pass through the broken filling and cause emergency tooth sensitivity. Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash or warm water can be a relief, but you must visit an emergency dentist just in case.
- Painful chewing: a broken dental filling is more sensitive to pressure, which presents as discomfort or severe toothache. If your dental filling is cracked, you will be in pain while eating and chewing your everyday meals and need to make an appointment with your emergency dentist.
- A sensation of a hard object in your tooth: sometimes, you can feel the moment your dental filling becomes cracked. If you hear the sound of your dental filling getting cracked, it’s important to visit your emergency dentist as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions about cracked dental fillings
- Does a cracked dental filling cause bad breath?
Emergency dentists believe a broken dental filling can cause bad breath, especially if left untreated.
- Can dental fillings last forever?
Obviously, they can’t. Most dental fillings can last for ten years if you have good oral hygiene. You need to have regular checkups with your emergency dentist to see if your dental fillings need to be replaced and examine your overall dental well-being.
