Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

Do you feel a sharp pain when you bite down or release biting pressure?  Do you avoid certain foods or chew on only one side of your mouth?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may have a cracked tooth.

A crack is a defect in the tooth structure.  Sometimes cracks are invisible to the naked eye and do not even show up on x-rays. Cracks can result from a blow to the mouth tooth grinding; temperature extremes; loss of tooth structure form a large cavity, filling or other restoration; and chewing on hand objects or foods.

Even though your pain may only be occasional, it’s important to tell us that you’re having these symptoms. Over time, cracks can worsen and affect the pulp deep inside the tooth. If the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, the tooth may need root canal treatment. If a crack becomes too severe, the tooth may need to be extracted.

If you’re experiencing any o these symptoms, please call our office at (650) 697-9000 and schedule an appointment. We’d like to help you detect any problems in their earliest stages.0

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If you have questions, pls call Dr. Valerie de Leon at (650) 697–9000 or visit our website at www.millbraesmiles.com. She is with Millbrae Smile Center located at 15 El Camino Real, Millbrae 94030. She is a member of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of Laser Dentistry, ADA, CDA and SMCDS. Please call for a free consultation.

(www.asianjournal.com)