Signs You Have a Cracked Tooth

A cracked tooth is considered to be a dental emergency, yet many people are unaware that they even have a cracked tooth in their mouth. This may sound surprising, considering that most emergencies are quite obvious. However, many people only learn that they have a cracked tooth during a routine visit to the dentist when it is brought to their attention. There are signs that you have a cracked tooth, and knowing what these signs are can help you get the treatment that you need in a timely manner before more serious damage occurs to your tooth.

The first sign of a cracked tooth is pain in a single tooth. When a tooth is cracked, people generally experience pain when they bite down on food. This pain occurs because the pressure from biting opens up the crack and exposes the extremely sensitive roots of the tooth’s inner layer. Once pressure is taken off the tooth, the pain will typically go away almost immediately. This on-off pain is a good indicator of a cracked tooth, and it is important to have it evaluated sooner rather than later. Any time a crack opens up in the tooth it is allowing bacteria and debris from the mouth to enter into the tooth. This can lead to serious infection and decay, making a much more invasive procedure necessary to save your tooth.

Other signs that you have a cracked tooth include:

• Extreme tooth sensitivity
• A line in a single tooth
• Discoloration of a single tooth
• A chipped tooth
• Any discomfort within or surrounding a tooth

The most common causes of cracked tooth are bad habits (e.g. chewing ice and/or hard candies), poor oral hygiene that leaves the teeth weak, and not wearing proper mouth protection during recreational activities.

At Green Dental of Alexandria, we are here for all of your dental needs. If you are concerned that you have a cracked tooth, or you have any other dental issues that need to be addressed, please contact our dental practice today. We are committed to providing the highest standard in dentistry.