03 Jun That Cracked Tooth Needs a Dentist!
Biting down on something too hard is not only a sensory nightmare—it can also damage your teeth. Cracked teeth can cause pain and sensitivity, tooth loss, and infections. If you notice localized tooth sensitivity to hot and cold, pain when chewing, or any other tooth pain, you might need urgent dental care.
How Did My Tooth Crack?
There’s more than one way to crack a tooth. Even though teeth are very hard, they aren’t invincible. Teeth can crack from trauma, from biting something too hard, or even from gradual wear and tear.
Trauma
- Clenching or grinding your teeth
- Objects hitting your mouth
- Chewing hard objects like ice, pens, or unpopped popcorn kernels
- Opening bottles or packages with your teeth
Wear and Tear
- Gradual enamel loss over time
- Weakening of the tooth structure with age
Is a Cracked Tooth an Emergency?
Although a cracked tooth is not always an emergency, you should still make an urgent appointment. The pain should be manageable until you can see a dentist. Until then, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth, and resist very cold or very hot foods and drinks.
You can take over the counter pain relievers if needed, but if you are experiencing debilitating pain or have an extremely high fever, you need immediate medical attention.
Always Seek Treatment for a Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth will not heal on its own. In fact, neglecting a cracked tooth will only make the problem worse. Ignoring it will cause you more pain and require more extensive treatments—you could even end up losing your tooth.
Cracked Teeth vs. Split Teeth
Without treatment, a small, slightly bothersome crack can turn into a fully split tooth. Treatments for a crack that ends before the gum line range from fillings to dental bonding. But when a crack extends below the gum line, it often divides the tooth into two pieces.
If the split is under the gum line, but not dividing the tooth, it can be saved with a root canal and a crown. However, if the crack is splitting the tooth in two, the tooth will have to be extracted.
Vertical Root Fractures
These types of cracks start at the tooth root and make their way up. With minimal symptoms, they may go unnoticed for quite some time. They are most commonly found because of infections in the surrounding gum or bone tissue. Extraction is usually the only treatment for vertical root fractures.
Craze Cracks
If you see cracks along your teeth but are not experiencing pain or sensitivity you might be seeing craze cracks. These superficial cracks in your enamel are caused by age. Craze cracks do not always need treatment, but if you care about the appearance of your teeth, cosmetic dentistry can remove them.
Best Dental Care in Prescott, Arizona
If you have a cracked tooth, call Hicks Dental Group for help. Our team of experienced dentists and dental technicians will ensure that you get the best treatment possible. We can repair the damage and make you smile again. You should not have to suffer from the pain of a cracked tooth—contact us today!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (6/2/23). Photo by Arvind Philomin.