Signs You May Have a Cracked Tooth

Having a dental emergency is an obvious situation, right? Well, in many cases this is not always true. While a tooth that has been knocked out or is in extreme pain is an obvious dental emergency, a cracked tooth is one that many people tend to overlook. A cracked tooth is often the start of many severe dental issues simply because people either ignore the signs, mistakenly assume that it is not a big deal, or they are completely unaware that they have suffered any damage to a tooth.

Typically, there are two scenarios regarding a cracked tooth: people either realize the moment that it occurs, or they completely miss the signs. Biting down on a piece of ice or on a hard piece of candy and cracking a tooth will generally cause immediate pain. This painful injury allows the crack to reach the pulp of the tooth, causing major irritation to the sensitive nerves of the tooth. The immediate pain lets people know that they should seek the attention of their dentist as quickly as possible in order for the tooth to be repaired and the pain to be alleviated.

While this immediate pain is an obvious sign of a cracked tooth, there are other signs that you may have a cracked tooth. Knowing what to look out for can help you receive the treatment you need in a timely manner. Signs of a cracked tooth include:

• Immediate pain after biting down on something
• Sharp pain while chewing, but the pain is alleviated once chewing stops
• Extreme sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, and sour foods and beverages
• Inconsistent tooth pain
• A visible line through a tooth
• Discoloration of a single tooth

Aside from the pain of a cracked tooth, a tooth that is cracked is considered to be a dental emergency because of how vulnerable it leaves the tooth to further damage. Any crack in a tooth will allow bacteria and debris to enter inside the tooth, causing infection. Any type of infection can cause a domino effect inside the mouth, affecting neighboring teeth and gums.

If you are concerned that you have a cracked tooth, please contact Pristine Dental right away. We are here for all of your oral health concerns.