Symptoms of Cracked Tooth
There are a number of reasons that may lead a patient to experience a cracked tooth. A crack can vary in severity and treatment will largely depend on the extent of damage. A lot of patients develop shallow craze lines that only affect the outer surface of the tooth enamel. These are very common and do not require treatment.
Other cracks can occur due to accident or injury and can be very painful and require treatment as soon as possible. The sooner a crack is caught, the more chance you have of saving the tooth. When treating any type of dental injury, the goal is to save the tooth so your dentist will try more conservative treatment options when possible but if necessary, a severely damaged tooth may need to be extracted.
Cracks are sometimes too small to be visible to the naked eye and may not be evident in an x-ray. In this case, other diagnostic methods are used such as light examination or a dental dye. Cracks are most common in molars as well as those with multiple or very large fillings.
How do I know if I have a cracked tooth?
Symptoms of a cracked tooth vary, depending on the type and severity of the crack. Some cracks may not cause any symptoms at all whereas others cause intermittent or constant pain. Symptoms indicative of a cracked tooth are referred to at “Cracked tooth syndrome (CTS)” and can include:
Pain: Pain felt when you release a bite, like when chewing, is one of the more common symptoms and can range from mild to severe. Pain may come and go and it is often difficult to know exactly which tooth is affected. Depending on the depth of the crack and if the pulp is exposed, intermittent or constant pain may occur even without pressure from chewing.
Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages, as well as sugars, is a common symptom of a cracked tooth. Sensitivity may feel like mild throbbing or a sharp nerve reaction, depending on the depth of the crack.
Swelling: Gum swelling is another frequent symptom of a cracked tooth. Swelling often indicates that the pulp within the tooth has been affected and can make the area painful to touch.
Additionally, infection can develop when a tooth cracks. An untreated crack can allow food and bacteria to enter the tooth, resulting in an infection in the pulp. This requires immediate treatment to prevent the infection from spreading to the gums and jaw bone. An infection is indicated by swelling, fever, increased pain, tender glands, and even bad breath that does not resolve with oral hygiene.
Symptoms of a cracked tooth may also be a result of another issue so it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further pain and damage. Your dentist will be able to figure out what the problem is and treat it accordingly.