How to Tell if Your Tooth is Cracked

Author: Predentive Dental April 30, 2017

I recently had a tooth that was causing me so. Much. Pain.

I’d chew some foods and it’d feel fine. Then all of a sudden…BAM. It felt like someone was chiseling away at my tooth!

After weeks of guessing what was causing such pain, and thinking it was a temporary thing, I FINALLY decided to go to the dentist.

They did a few tests, poked and prodded and told me my tooth was cracked! How was that possible?! I’m a fairly young person, I try to take care of my teeth the best I can, so how the heck did I crack my tooth?

Well…it turns out that cracking a tooth isn’t just for older teeth…it can happen to anyone!

So, how can you tell if your tooth is cracked and what should you do?

Start by asking yourself these questions:

-Do I feel a sharp pain when I bite?

-What foods hurt to eat? 

-Does the pain come and go?

-Do I feel sensitivity to extreme hot or cold?

-Did a recent dental procedure not fix the pain I still feel?

Sometimes dentists cannot see or even tell by an x-ray that there is a crack in the tooth, so it’s always good to get a second opinion if you still experience pain after a dental visit.

If your answer is “YES” to any of the above questions, you should visit the dentist as soon as possible!

Cracked teeth can vary from mild to serious conditions. They may require fillings or crowns, but some require root canals, or complete tooth extractions, so don’t hesitate to make a visit!

How do cracked teeth happen in the first place?

Many people will experience a cracked tooth in their lifetime. Chewing hard things like ice and popcorn kernels can crack your teeth. Other causes range from nervous habits of chewing pencils and pens, to nighttime grinding, to not protecting your mouth properly during sporting activities.

Be sure to properly care for your teeth to prevent what damage you can, and never hesitate to have a dentist investigate a problem that may be bothering you!

 

A note to our readers:

-One of Predentive’s main focuses is providing trusted and objective second opinions. We don’t take any monetary benefit for referring you to specialists or other dental practicioners. Our goal is to provide you with the best possible care when it comes to cleanings and making sure you get in front of the right hands to fix any dental problems you may have.-