Cracked Teeth
If you’re worried about a cracked tooth that’s causing
acute discomfort, we can examine it and provide you
with the best pain-free treatment plan.
Common Problems
Worried about cracked teeth?
If you feel a sharp pain when biting or chewing, this could mean you have a cracked or broken tooth. Moving beyond the aesthetic issues, cracked teeth can cause extreme discomfort and, if left untreated may lead to irreversible damage, including tooth loss. That’s why we treat it as early as possible.
The major causes of teeth cracking and breaking
There are a range of factors that can cause broken or cracked teeth. These include:
- Biting down on hard foods such as ice, nuts, or lollies
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Uneven chewing
- Loss of tooth structure due to wear, fillings, or other repairs
- Sudden temperature extremes in food or drinks
- An accidental blow to the mouth
What are the common types of cracked teeth?
The pain or discomfort you feel from a cracked tooth is dependent on the type of crack. These may include:
- Craze lines: These are microfractures of the tooth enamel that generally have no symptoms apart from aesthetics and don’t require treatment.
- Fractured cusp: This is where the crown of the tooth is fractured, generally around a dental filling, but doesn’t affect the tooth’s pulp.
Split tooth: This is where the tooth segments are entirely separated and often the tooth will need to be removed. - Vertical root fracture: This type of crack begins below the gum line and travels upwards, with undetected symptoms until the tooth becomes infected and often needs to be removed.
Let’s talk symptoms of cracked teeth
While you may or may not be aware that your tooth is cracked, there are some symptoms to look out for, including:
- Your tooth feels painful when chewing
- Your tooth feels sensitive to hot or cold (food and drinks)
- There’s swelling around the tooth and gum
- A crack or chip is visible on your tooth
- A hairline crack on your tooth
The best treatment for cracked teeth
The right treatment for your cracked tooth will depend on the type and severity of the crack.
If you’ve booked to visit us, while waiting for your appointment we recommend the following:
- Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the cracked tooth is
- Avoid hard, hot, and cold foods
- Take the recommended dosage of paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Rinse your mouth with a warm salt-water rinse
Upon visiting our practice, we’ll conduct a thorough dental examination and will recommend a personalised dental plan which may involve a filling, dental bonding, or more complex treatment.
Concerned that you have a cracked or broken tooth?
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