Cracked Teeth

Patients can experience a cracked tooth due to many different reasons, whether it be from chronic clenching, grinding, injuries, etc. No matter how the tooth became cracked, it is extremely important that you seek professional dental assistance as soon as possible. 

Though a crack in your tooth may not always be visible, you can definitely feel the symptoms of a cracked tooth. 

Symptoms of Cracked Teeth Include:

• Pain (when chewing and in general)
• Sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks

Why Do Cracked Teeth Hurt?

Cracked teeth cause so much pain because you no longer have that barrier between the food you eat and the sensitive nerves inside your tooth and in your roots. If the crack goes unattended, the pulp in your teeth will become damaged, leading to infection and even more pain. 

Types of Cracked Teeth

Teeth can become cracked for different reasons resulting in various types of fractures. Therefore, each type of crack will need to be treated in its own way. 

Craze Lines

Craze lines are only an aesthetic crack in your tooth. These types of cracks will not cause pain nor lead to infection or discomfort. 

Fractured Cusp

A cusp is the pointed part of your tooth, used for chewing. Over time, the cusp can become weak due to wear and tear, which may result in a crack. This can be remedied by a simple crown and seldom causes nerve pain.

Cracked Tooth

A cracked tooth that is causing pain and has fractured through to the pulp commonly needs a root canal to treat the pain and restore the damage. 

• Don’t chew on hard objects such as ice
• Don’t clench or grind your teeth (ask your dentist how to remedy clenching and grinding)
• Wear a mouthguard and other facial protection when playing sports

Preventing Cracked Teeth

In order to reduce your risk of a cracked tooth: