Cracked Tooth

A cracked tooth is difficult to detect as the fracture is not always visible to the naked eye. It can appear as a hairline, running vertically on the tooth, or may not be visible at all. On the other hand, a cracked tooth is painful, and if you have the following symptoms, you must seek immediate care at our clinic:

1. Sharp pain if you chew on one side of the mouth
2. Extreme sensitivity to hot or cold drinks or food
3. Acute pain when biting on hard foods, such as nuts or crusted French bread
4. The tooth, or part of the tooth, seems to be moving slightly

Left untreated, a cracked tooth will eventually break and it may not be possible to install a crown on it, resulting in tooth extraction.

Cracked teeth are caused by:

1. Trauma – falling and hitting the tooth, or a blow to the jaw
2. Chewing on hard objects or food (pencils, shelled nuts, ice cubes, hard candy, opening a beer or soda bottle with your teeth)
3. Alternating hot and icy foods (eating a hot soup, immediately followed by a Popsicle)
4. Teeth grinding or clenching during sleep

If you suspect that you have a cracked tooth, call us immediately. Timely dental care may save your tooth.