It can happen mysteriously, but sometimes the signs are obvious. You bite into a hard, crunchy cookie, and BAM – you crack a tooth! Cracks come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s safe to say that no two cracks are identical. Some cracks are minor, while others can prompt an emergency dental visit. Regardless of the severity of the crack, it’s always wise to visit the dentist to play it safe and avoid potential problems.
How do you crack?
There are numerous causes for cracked teeth, some more common than others.
- Biting/chewing hard food
- Bone loss caused by gum disease
- Drastic temperature changes to the tooth
- Fillings that weaken the tooth
- Naturally from old age
- Pressure from grinding/clenching teeth
- Trauma to the mouth
What’s crackin’?
Just like the various causes for cracked teeth, there are also different types of cracks, some more serious than others.
Crazy Lines: Not as crazy as it sounds, these are teeny, tiny cracks in the enamel that are typically painless and harmless. You might not even know you have them.
Cracked Cusp: This is a crack on the pointy part of the tooth’s biting surface, often around a filling and usually not affecting the inner part of the tooth (pulp).
Gum Line Cracks: A crack that extends into the gum line prompts treatment ASAP in order to avoid extraction and save the tooth.
Split Tooth: Literally split in two, this is a major crack that travels below the gum line and deep into the tooth, often resulting in tooth loss.
Vertical Tooth Crack: This happens when the crack starts below the gum line and extends upward. If infected, the tooth will need to be pulled.
Oh, crack!
In the unfortunate situation that you crack a tooth, don’t panic. Simply call your dentist and get an appointment in a jiffy. Sometimes, you might not even realize your tooth is cracked. If you’re not in pain, good news is that the crack is probably superficial. Severe pain often signals damage to the pulp of the tooth, which contains nerves. Whatever you do, don’t procrastinate getting a cracked tooth fixed. The longer you wait, you increase your risk for infection and possibly losing the tooth.
Diagnosis of a cracked tooth will be based off of dental history, a visual exam, and possibly dental X-rays. Treatment for a cracked tooth depends on the type of crack and its location. Some options include extraction, bonding, filling, crown, and root canal. Sometimes, you won’t even need treatment, particularly for hairline fractures (aka crazy lines).
Here are some symptoms of a cracked tooth:
- Discomfort and pain when biting and chewing
- Intermittent pain
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweetness
- Swollen gums around affected tooth
If you experience a crack tooth, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.