2 Tips To Prevent A Cracked Tooth From Worsening During Your Scuba Dive
Scuba diving can seem like an activity that requires very little preparation. However, good oral health can dictate how enjoyable your diving experience is. If you develop a crack in your tooth before scuba diving, then it can be difficult to set up an appointment with your dentist in order to have it fixed before you leave for your dive. If you decide to still scuba dive with the crack, then the pressure will most likely cause the crack to worsen. If the crack becomes extreme, then you may end up losing your entire tooth. Luckily, there are a few preventive tips that you can use in order to prevent your cracked tooth from worsening during your dive.
Seal the Crack with Dental Adhesive
Dental adhesive is typically used to reattach loose restorations or fill in gaps created by crowns. A cracked tooth creates a gap that makes it easy for air pockets to develop. The air pockets will eventually expand pushing against the crack. In order to prevent this, you can fill in the cracks using a dental adhesive. You can purchase a dental adhesive at a local grocery store. Clean your teeth using a toothbrush and oral rinse. Use a cotton ball to remove any additional residue and dry the surface of your tooth. Apply the dental adhesive and wait for it to dry. Try to avoid drinking or eating any foods for a few hours to ensure that the dental adhesive has a chance to work.
Choose a Mouthpiece that Fits Your Mouth
One of the easiest ways to prevent further damage to teeth that are already cracked is by choosing your mouthpiece wisely. Mouthpieces are not any size fits all. Some individuals have smaller mouths and different shapes. Therefore, the mouthpiece that is most comfortably for them may not be comfortable for you. If you take the time to choose a mouthpiece that fits the best, then this will alleviate the stress that your teeth have to take on. If your teeth experience additional stress, then this will only lead to deeper cracks. Therefore, try on several mouthpieces before deciding on the one that fits the best.
A bad dive will make your cracked tooth even worse. This can result in a dental infection and possible extraction. Therefore, use these tips to make sure that the crack does not worsen before you have time to see a dentist, such as Dr. Jon Douglas Lesan, DDS, RpH, PA.
Share