The 411 on Cracked Teeth

There are many causes of a cracked tooth. Biting down on a hard piece of candy, an accidental hit to the mouth, grinding your teeth at night, large fillings and tooth decay are all possible culprits of a tooth injury. Cracks can range in size from microscopic to plainly visible to the naked eye. The level of pain felt and the treatment of the crack depends on the seriousness of the fracture.

Someone who has a minor crack may not feel anything out of the ordinary, causing them to believe that they can forgo an examination by their dentist. This is a common reaction, but not a good one. If you have sustained a blow to the mouth or have heard a “pop” or “crack” when you bit down on something, you should have your teeth checked for a crack. Letting it go without a proper diagnosis can cause serious problems in the future.

How Do You Know If Your Tooth Is Cracked?

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if your tooth is actually cracked. Depending on the area and severity of the crack, you may or may not have pain. Cracks that impact the outer structure of the teeth usually produce pain that occurs during chewing and biting down. If the crack has deepened to the point that the pulp and nerves of the tooth are involved, the tooth may be very tender and sensitive to hot and cold substances. The best thing you can do if you think you have a cracked tooth is get it checked out by a dentist.

Different Types Of Cracks

There are different types of cracks and fractures:

Craze Lines – These are minor surface cracks that only impact the enamel. Craze lines are not serious and most of the time they do not need treatment.

Cracked Tooth – When the fracture goes all the way through the enamel and down to the nerve, you officially have a cracked tooth. Cracked teeth must be filled or a crown placed over the tooth to keep the crack from spreading. If the nerve is damaged, you will also need a root canal.

Split Tooth – If a tooth spits vertically into two parts, from the surface to the root, it is known as a split tooth. Split teeth will need a root canal and a crown. You may need to have the tooth extracted if the split began at the root of the tooth and extended upwards.

Decay – If a tooth is severely decayed, it can break from the inside out. This is caused by a cavity that has rotted the tooth. Depending on the severity, the tooth may have to be removed.

What Should You Do If You Crack A Tooth?

Unfortunately, cracked teeth cannot be fixed at home. If you think you have fractured a tooth, even if you are not experiencing pain at the moment, it is important to contact your dentist for a checkup. If you are experiencing pain, bleeding or swelling, you can do a few things at home while you are waiting to get into your dentist.

• Rinse your mouth in warm water
• Apply pressure to the tooth to minimize the flow of blood
• Apply a cold compress to the area to help with pain and swelling

You should NOT:

• Try to pull your own tooth
• Eat something hard, chew gum, etc…
• Touch or wiggle your tooth

Prevention Is Key

Cracked teeth can be prevented with diligent care. First of all, you should take care of your teeth on a daily basis by brushing and flossing. This prevents decay and weakening of the enamel of the tooth. You should also get bi-annual cleanings by a dentist. They will keep a check on the health of your teeth, take x-rays to look for damage and provide fluoride treatments to help strengthen your teeth. Second, watch what you eat. Ice, hard candies and frozen food should not be crunched! Lastly, if you play contact sports or you grind your teeth, wear a mouth guard at night, during games and even during practice!

If you think you have cracked a tooth or your tooth has broken completely due to decay, you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your dentist. If you have injured your tooth to the point that you need a root canal, your dentist will refer you to an endodontist who specializes in root canals. Getting treatment for your tooth immediately after injury gives you a greater chance of saving your tooth and avoiding extraction.