Identifying cracked teeth can be challenging. Diagnosis may take time, and self-diagnosis is often even more difficult. This is because a tooth can be cracked without any visible symptoms and, more surprisingly, without pain.
What are the symptoms of a cracked tooth?
Cracked teeth can be difficult to detect, especially in an individual trying to self-diagnose. Also, a hairline fracture can completely hide such a crack, especially one that is positioned towards the back of the mouth, or if it is between the teeth.
Some teeth cracks are very noticeable, and unavoidably felt. If you encounter a crack that you can feel, it can be assumed that you have a tooth that is likely cracked. In such a situation, you should visit a dentist to ensure that you receive the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.Â
Here are some symptoms that you should look out for if you suspect that you have one or more cracked-teeth:
- Sharp, short-lived pain felt on and off whilst chewing food
- Unexpected pain felt in the mouth for no obvious reason
- You find it easier to chew on one side of the mouth
- Your teeth are sensitive to hot and cold food or drink
Left untreated a cracked tooth can lead to further complications such as an infection developing inside the tooth, or tooth decay resulting in the loss of your tooth.
How do you get a cracked tooth?
There are many reasons why people experience cracked teeth. Some cracks can be more severe than others and this is why you should seek help from your dentist should you suspect you have one.
Reasons for cracked teeth can include:
- Biting down on something very hard by mistake
- Chewing boiled sweets and hard foods
- A habit of clenching or grinding your teeth
- Trauma to the tooth
Hidden cracks
Some tooth fractures can occur to the root of your tooth below the gum line. These types of cracks are more serious because they could affect the stability of the whole tooth.
Your dentist will be able to examine your teeth and investigate for cracks that are difficult to see and advise you on how best to manage it.
Different types of tooth cracks
Your dentist will also be able to establish what sort of crack your tooth has. This will affect how it should be treated. For example, you may have a crack that runs from the biting surface of a tooth that runs right down to the root. This can often mean that the soft inner tissue of the tooth could be damaged too.
Vertical root fractures are when a crack develops at the root and travels upwards towards the biting surface of your tooth.
You may notice that your teeth have craze lines across them. Craze lines are tiny cracks that only affect the surface enamel of the tooth. Craze lines are very common in adults and usually cause no pain and the cracks don’t affect the soft tooth filling. These types of cracks need no treatment.
A crack to the cusp is where the pointed edge of your tooth’s biting surface is damaged. This type of crack can weaken your tooth and be prone to break more easily. Cracked cusps will often give you pain when biting down on food.
If a cracked tooth is left untreated it could develop further into a split tooth. This is where the tooth will break and split into two parts.
Will I need to have dental treatment?
It is important that you see your dentist to have any dental pain assessed, and to locate and diagnose suspected cracks. Your dentist will be able to stop the tooth from degrading any further and prevent an infection that could lead to the death of the tooth nerve.
Your dentist can recommend an effective treatment to repair your cracked tooth if it can be saved such as bonding, cosmetic contouring, applying veneers or fitting crowns.
You may need to have root canal treatment or even a tooth removal if the damage is really severe. Your dentist may be able to save your tooth, so it is worth making an appointment as quickly as possible.