Protecting Your Smile: Recognising the Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth
Cracked teeth are one of the most common dental problems. When a tooth is cracked, it can be difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms may not appear for weeks or even months.
It’s important to know how to identify the signs of a cracked tooth so that you can seek proper treatment before the damage becomes irreversible.
Let’s take a look at what causes cracked teeth, how they’re treated, and what steps you can take to avoid them altogether.
What are the symptoms of a cracked tooth?
The most common symptom of a cracked tooth is a pain when biting down or using chewing motions.
You may also feel pain when drinking hot or cold liquids or when breathing in cold air.
In some cases, there may not be any noticeable symptoms until the crack becomes more severe. Other signs include tenderness in the gums around the affected area and sensitivity to sweet foods.
What causes cracked teeth?
Most often, cracks in teeth occur due to trauma from teeth grinding or clenching.
In some cases, they can also occur if you have an existing cavity that weakens the tooth enamel.
Other elements that can increase your risk of developing a cracked tooth include poor dental hygiene and eating hard foods such as candy or ice cubes.
In rare cases, a crack in a natural tooth can be caused by a root canal infection or by trauma to the gum line.
Vertical root fractures
Tooth cracks can have different levels of severity—from tiny cracks that barely affect your tooth’s structure to vertical root fractures that extend below your gum line and into the nerve tissue of your roots.
Vertical root fractures are particularly dangerous because they often go undetected until significant damage has already been done.
If you experience any sharp or sudden pain when biting down on food or other objects, you should see a dentist immediately, as this could be a sign of vertical root fracture.
What are the treatments for cracked teeth?
In many cases, treatment for an affected tooth will involve either filling the crack with dental cement or performing a root canal treatment if there is extensive damage to the nerve tissue of the roots.
If necessary, tooth extraction may also be recommended if there is too much damage for repair.
Once the damaged area has been removed, it will need to be replaced with either an artificial crown or bridge, depending on where it is located in your mouth and how much structure has been lost due to cracking or fracturing.
How to prevent a cracked tooth?
The best way to prevent a cracked tooth is by adopting good dental hygiene habits and visiting your dentist regularly.
Brush twice daily, floss once daily, and use an antibacterial mouthwash to help keep plaque away from your teeth.
Additionally, wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports or participating in any activity that may put your teeth at risk of being damaged.
Finally, try not to bite down on hard objects such as ice and candy because this can increase the risk of cracking your tooth.
Get your cracked tooth treated at My Local Dentists West Ryde
Cracked teeth can cause significant discomfort and permanent damage if left untreated for too long—so it’s important to know how to identify their symptoms and get them treated immediately!
At My Local Dentists West Ryde, we can help you get your cracked tooth fixed and feel like new again. Give us a call today at (02) 9809 7000 to book your appointment, and let us help you take care of your smile.
References
Cracked Tooth
https://www.healthline.com/health/cracked-tooth
Fractured Tooth (Cracked Tooth)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21628-fractured-tooth-cracked-tooth