SYMPTOMS OF A CRACKED TOOTH

Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth

A cracked tooth is sometimes obvious. With that said, that’s not always the case. There are some symptoms that you’ll want to look out for to determine if you have a cracked tooth so it can be properly addressed.

Below are symptoms of a cracked tooth, some root causes, treatments, and steps you can take to prevent cracked teeth.

Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth

There are a few symptoms of a cracked tooth you should look out for (outside of an obvious crack in your tooth). These include:

• Consistent pain in the tooth
• Tooth Sensitivity
• Swelling
• Pain when chewing and biting

Causes of a Cracked Tooth

There are a variety of different causes of a fractured tooth. These include:

• Biting into hard foods
• Trauma and injury
• Chewing hard items
• Teeth grinding and clenching
• Age

Treatment Options

If you find you have a cracked tooth, don’t panic. There are some simple solutions to address a cracked tooth that may be an option for you. These include:

• Dental bonding: Dental bonding is an option for small cracks and chips. This involves the use of tooth-colored resin to repair the damage.
• Dental veneer: Dental veneers replace a portion of the tooth and are often used to repair more cosmetic forms of damage.
• Dental crown: Dental crowns are for serious repairs and involve the replacement of the crown of a patient’s tooth.

While these treatment options are generally available for patients who are suffering from a fractured tooth, they aren’t always available. If the tooth has been fractured severely enough and/or the tooth has become severely infected, there may be no way to save the tooth. If this is the case, your dentist will consider extraction and replacement. With that said, your dentist wants to save as much of your healthy tooth as possible and will only consider extraction as a last resort.

Cracked Tooth Prevention

A cracked tooth isn’t a foregone conclusion. There are actually some simple ways to avoid cracked teeth. These include:

• Visiting your dentist: By visiting your dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup, you ensure the health and strength of your teeth-lowering the chances of a crack. Visiting your dentist regularly also allows them to catch any cracked teeth early on and treat them before they become a major issue.
• Proper oral health at home: Brushing twice a day, flossing, and rinsing can help to reduce the chances of cracked teeth.
• Wearing a mouthguard: If you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), you’ll want to make sure you wear a night guard to prevent cracking your teeth. You should also wear a mouthguard if you play contact sports.

Contact Us

If you notice the symptoms of a cracked tooth, contact us today so we can examine the tooth. If it is determined that you have a cracked tooth, a treatment plan will be put in place to address the crack. Remember, the earlier you have a tooth examined, the higher the likelihood of saving the tooth.

Can Cracked Tooth Be Saved