The sudden feeling of a sharp edge on a tooth cutting the delicate soft tissue of the tongue or cheek is a common and painful dental issue. This irritation often results in a tender, non-healing ulcer, making speaking and eating difficult. While the sensation is alarming, the problem is usually structurally simple and easily corrected with professional care. This article provides guidance on temporary measures, explores the reasons behind the sharpness, and details the permanent treatment options available.
Immediate Relief Measures
A primary goal when dealing with a sharp tooth is protecting the tongue and cheek from further abrasion until a dental appointment can be secured. The most effective temporary solution is covering the jagged edge with a soft material to create a smooth barrier. Orthodontic wax, found at most pharmacies, is designed for this purpose and can be molded directly over the sharp surface. If dental wax is unavailable, softened sugar-free chewing gum can also be pressed onto the tooth as a makeshift shield.
Managing the resulting irritation on the tongue or cheek is important for comfort. Rinsing the mouth several times a day with a warm saline solution (a teaspoon of salt dissolved in eight ounces of warm water) can help soothe the injured tissue and keep the area clean. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help manage general discomfort. Avoid acidic, spicy, or crunchy foods, as these can further irritate the open sore and delay healing.
Common Causes of Sharp Teeth
The sudden appearance of a sharp tooth usually signals a structural change in the tooth’s enamel or a dental restoration. A frequent cause is a fractured cusp or a chipped tooth, often resulting from biting down on something hard or experiencing minor facial trauma. The enamel can break away, leaving behind a razor-sharp, jagged edge that constantly irritates the surrounding soft tissue.
Another common source of sharpness is the failure or degradation of existing dental work. A filling or a crown may develop a crack, or an older restoration might chip away, exposing a rough margin. If a filling is lost entirely, the remaining tooth structure can have an uneven, sharp border. Similarly, a restoration that was not perfectly polished or contoured upon placement can create a rough spot that gradually cuts the tongue.
Sharpness can also result from long-term mechanical wear on the teeth, known as attrition or abrasion. Conditions like bruxism (habitual teeth grinding or clenching) lead to excessive enamel wear over time. This process can thin the enamel until the dentin is exposed or create micro-fractures that result in sharp, irregular edges. The natural eruption of a wisdom tooth can also create temporary friction against the cheek or tongue tissue.
Professional Diagnosis and Treatment Options
A dentist begins the diagnostic process with a thorough visual examination and tactile assessment to locate the exact source of the sharpness. Dental X-rays are typically taken to evaluate the internal structure of the tooth and assess the extent of the damage, checking for deep fractures or issues within the pulp chamber. This initial assessment determines the most appropriate and permanent course of treatment.
For minor chips or superficial roughness, the most conservative treatment is enamel smoothing, or odontoplasty. The dentist uses a fine bur to gently contour, smooth, and polish the sharp edges. This eliminates irritation while preserving the maximum amount of natural tooth structure. This procedure is quick, painless, and often resolves the issue in a single visit.
If the damage is slightly more extensive, such as a medium-sized chip or a cracked filling, the tooth can often be repaired using dental bonding or a new composite filling. Dental bonding involves applying a tooth-colored composite resin directly to the fractured area. The resin is sculpted to the natural tooth shape and then hardened with a specialized light, effectively restoring the tooth’s smooth contour and structural integrity.
For cases involving significant loss of tooth structure, such as a large fracture or a failed, extensive restoration, a crown or onlay may be necessary. A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fully covers the visible portion of the tooth above the gum line, providing comprehensive protection and restoring its function and smooth surface. If the internal pulp tissue has been exposed or infected, root canal therapy will be performed before crown placement to save the tooth. Extraction is considered only as a last resort when the tooth is irreparable.