A cracked tooth can be a painful and concerning problem, but modern endodontic treatments can help restore your tooth and relieve discomfort. The key is early diagnosis and timely treatment to prevent further damage.
How Do Teeth Crack?
Teeth can crack for many reasons, including biting down on hard foods, grinding your teeth, trauma, or aging. Cracks can range from minor surface lines to deep fractures affecting the pulp inside the tooth.
Common Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth
- Sharp pain when biting or chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- Discomfort that comes and goes
- Swelling around the affected tooth
Treatment Options
- Bonding – If the crack is minor, your dentist may use a tooth-coloured resin to seal it.
- Crown Placement – A dental crown can cover and protect a cracked tooth, preventing further breakage.
- Root Canal Treatment – If the crack extends into the pulp, a root canal may be needed to remove infected tissue and preserve the tooth.
- Tooth Extraction – In severe cases where the crack extends below the gumline, the tooth may need to be removed.
Preventing Cracked Teeth
To reduce the risk of cracks, avoid chewing hard foods, such as sticky toffee and hard sweets. Don’t use your teeth to crack nuts or open bottles (you’d be surprised by some of the cases we’ve seen!). If you grind your teeth at night, do wear a mouthguard and visit your dentist regularly for check-ups. Needless to say, maintaining good oral hygiene, eating healthy and looking after your general health can act as barriers to tooth problems and help your teeth retain healthy enamel.
Endodontic treatments can help restore your cracked tooth and relieve the associated discomfort. An early diagnosis and timely treatment can prevent further damage or tooth extraction. Your endodontist can prevent the latter, most invasive and irreversible procedure, so enquire with us today.