Cracked Teeth
A tooth may be cracked if these symptoms occur:
- Sharp pain when biting
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Sensitivity to sweet or sticky foods
Teeth may crack due to a variety of factors such as:
- Chewing something hard like ice or candy
- Grinding or clenching teeth together
- Loss of large part of a tooth due to a filling or wear
- Uneven chewing pressure
- Exposing enamel to temperature extremes
- Brittleness of a tooth that has had a root canal
Experiencing pain when biting down is a result of pressure opening up the tooth or separating it at the crack line. Likewise, pain is often felt when clenching or biting ceases, releasing pressure as the crack quickly closes. If the soft tissue of a tooth containing the nerve and blood supply (a.k.a pulp) becomes irritated, temperature sensitivity may occur. A crack exposing the pulp may cause enough damage to warrant a root canal in order to save the tooth… or, in worse cases, losing the tooth completely.
One way we treat a cracked tooth is to cover and strengthen it with an onlay or a crown. This protects the tooth from further damage and prolongs the life of the tooth.
It may be difficult to determine a crack in your tooth. It is important to note of and advise your dentist of the symptoms. Be aware of red flags like sensitivity to certain foods or temperatures, or favoring one side of your mouth for chewing. Regular dental checkups are important to allow your dentist to diagnose and treat problems while they are in the early stages, or preferably preventing pain by catching a problem when it is still a potential issue.