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Do you have a cracked tooth?
When you bite down, you feel a sharp pain. It quickly disappears,
and perhaps
you ignore it. You avoid certain foods or chew only on one side
of your mouth. Does this sound familiar? If so, you may have a cracked
tooth.
What causes a tooth to crack?
A tooth may crack due to a variety of factors:
- chewing on hard objects or foods such as ice,
nuts or hard candy;
- an accident, such as a blow to the mouth;
- grinding and clenching your teeth;
- uneven chewing pressure;
- stress on a tooth
- loss of a significant portion of tooth structure
through wear, large fillings or other restorations;
- exposure of tooth enamel to temperature extremes,
such as eating hot food and then
- drinking ice water;
- brittleness of teeth that have undergone endodontic
(root canal) treatment.
How can you tell if a tooth
is cracked?
It could be difficult. You may not even be able to tell which tooth
hurts or whether the pain is from an upper or lower tooth. A crack
may appear as a
hairline fracture, running vertically along the tooth. It often
is invisible to the eye and may not show even on an X-ray.
You can help your dentist determine which tooth
is causing the problem by noting when and where you have sensitivity
to heat or cold and to sweet, sour or sticky food, as well as approximately
where the pain is when you are chewing.
Why does a cracked tooth
hurt?
A cracked tooth may hurt because the pressure of biting causes the
crack to open. When you stop biting, the pressure is released and
a sharp pain results as the crack quickly closes. Even though the
crack may be microscopic, when it opens, the pulp inside the tooth
may become irritated. The pulp is a soft tissue that contains the
tooth's nerves and blood vessels. If the crack irritates the pulp,
the tooth may become sensitive to temperature extremes. If the pulp
becomes damaged or diseased as a result of the crack, root canal
treatment may be necessary to save the tooth.
How is a cracked tooth treated?
Depending on the size and location of the crack, treatment may vary
from bonding to root canal treatment. A severely cracked tooth may
need extraction. Your dentist will determine the best treatment
for you. Tiny cracks are common and usually do not cause problems.
Regular dental checkups are important. They allow your dentist to
diagnose and treat problems in the early stage. If you continue
to have pain, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and call
your dentist.
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