• missporkpie@gmail.com
  • Great Malvern, England
Beauty and Fashion
The Tell-Tale Signs Of A Cracked Tooth

The Tell-Tale Signs Of A Cracked Tooth

Your teeth are fairly tough, but they can still be damaged. If you crack a tooth, it’s not always obvious straight away and many people carry on without getting it seen by a dentist. 

Source – Pixabay CCO License

But a cracked tooth needs to be fixed straight away because if it’s not, the crack might spread and you could lose a lot of important tooth structure. It makes it much easier for bacteria to get in too, and the teeth can start to decay from the inside out. Not only is that incredibly painful, but it also means that you may lose the entire tooth.

A cracked tooth can sometimes be repaired with a filling if the crack is very small. If it’s a bigger crack or a chip then a crown (a false “cap”) will be needed to cover over the broken surface. It will look exactly the same as a natural tooth.

The key to avoiding any further damage is knowing how to spot the signs of a cracked tooth right away so you can book an appointment with the emergency dentist and get it fixed. So, these are the common signs of a cracked tooth to look out for.

Pain When Chewing

If you have a crack in your tooth, you’ll likely feel pain or discomfort when chewing. This means that anything from crunchy foods like apples and carrots to hot and cold food and drinks could be painful. Sensitive teeth are relatively common and not always a cause for concern but if the sensitivity comes out of nowhere, you may have a cracked tooth.

Pain That Comes and Goes

Cracks in the tooth don’t always hurt all of the time. Some people report having short periods where they suddenly feel a sharp pain in their teeth, especially when chewing. It can subside after a period of time but it means that there is definitely something wrong with the tooth. So, just because the pain isn’t constant, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to see a dentist. Whenever you experience intense pain, you should book an emergency dental appointment immediately. Ignoring it could lead to much bigger problems down the line.

Infections On The Gums

If you notice that your gums are becoming more sensitive or they’re looking red and inflamed, there may be an infection. Infections in the mouth are common but if yours has come on suddenly out of nowhere then it could be due to a crack in the tooth. Not only is this another sign of problems with the tooth (not necessarily just a crack), but it can be incredibly painful. When gum disease is left untreated, you can easily end up losing the tooth. If this is the case, it’s so important to get your tooth replaced immediately before more damage is caused.

If you’re experiencing any of these signs then get an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible. You don’t want to risk further damage or infection. If there’s no obvious cause for concern, then your cracked tooth might not be causing any problems and just needs a simple filling to sort it out.

Join the discussion!

Verified by MonsterInsights