Understanding and Managing Cracked Tooth Pain

Cracked tooth pain can be a discomforting and sometimes excruciating experience. It’s essential to grasp the nuances of having to deal with a painful tooth to prevent further damage.

In this comprehensive article, we’ll delve into the world of fractured tooth pain, from its causes and symptoms to treatment options and prevention.

Mitigating Cracked Tooth Pain

Immediate Steps

If you find yourself suspecting a cracked tooth or suddenly hit by dental pain, there are some immediate actions you can take to provide pain relief:

• Rinse Your Mouth: Start by giving your mouth a gentle rinse with warm water to clear out any pesky food particles or debris that might be causing irritation.
• Pain Medication: Over-the-counter medication can be your best friend in times like these. Just follow the recommended dosage instructions, and it should help relieve pain temporarily.
• Cold Compress: Putting a cold compress can reduce swelling and make you feel more comfortable.
• Avoid Trigger Foods: Steer clear of food that makes the situation worse, such as very hot, cold, or sugary stuff.
• Seek Professional Medical Treatment: Don’t wait around! See a dentist to get prompt treatment.

While these steps and medical treatments can help, self-treatment isn’t the way to go here because the treatment for your cracked tooth depends on your dental history.

Professional Treatment

The type of treatment you’ll need for your affected tooth is based on its severity and location.

Here are some common options:

• Dental Filling: For minor cracks, a dental filling might do the trick. It’ll patch things up, restoring your tooth’s structure and preventing further issues.
• Dental Crown: If things are a bit more complicated, your dentist might recommend designing a personalised dental crown inside their dental lab. Think of it as a protective porcelain or ceramic cap that strengthens and shields your tooth, especially if you have cracked tooth syndrome.
• Root Canal Treatment (RCT): A root canal procedure might be on the table if the crack extends to the gum line. This is a surgical or invasive procedure that removes the damaged tissue.
• Tooth Extraction: If the chipped tooth just can’t be saved, extraction of the damaged tooth might be the only choice.
• Dental Implants: Following extraction, dental implants can replace the missing natural tooth, restoring both function and aesthetics. Get more details.

What Is Cracked Tooth Pain?

Cracked tooth pain refers to the discomfort, sensitivity, or sharp pain experienced when a tooth sustains damage from simple habits like chewing on hard foods. This condition is also known as cracked tooth syndrome (CTS).

Cracked tooth syndrome can vary from minor hairline cracks in the outer enamel to nerve damage and fractures that extend deep into the dental pulp.

Cracked Tooth Symptoms and Clear-Cut Signs

 

 

Recognising the signs and symptoms of cracked teeth is the first step in addressing the issue effectively.

Common indicators of a cracked tooth include:

Tooth Sensitivity

You may experience heightened sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages, which is often triggered when they come into contact with the crack, irritating the underlying nerve.

Intermittent Discomfort

Cracked teeth can cause occasional discomfort, especially when biting down or releasing the bite.

Sharp Pain

You may feel a sharp, sudden pain when chewing or biting, followed by relief when you stop the pressure on your cracked teeth.

Visible Damage

A visible crack, chip, or break in the tooth’s surface is an obvious sign of a cracked tooth. However, some cracks may be microscopic or hidden below the gum line.

Throbbing Pain

Severe cracks may lead to persistent pain that doesn’t subside, especially within your exposed nerve.

Pain When Releasing Pressure

Pain when releasing pressure on the tooth, such as after biting down on hard foods, for example, can be indicative of cracked teeth.

Gum Inflammation

In some cases, the gum surrounding the affected tooth may become swollen or tender.

What Causes Cracked Tooth Pain?

Pain in your tooth cracks can occur due to various factors and events.

Let’s take a closer look at what might be causing your toothache:

Dental Trauma

Remember that time you took a tumble or had an unexpected face-to-floor encounter?

Those incidents can result in cracked or broken teeth.

Teeth Grinding

If you have the nightly ritual of teeth grinding or bruxism, you can erode your tooth enamel, making your teeth more prone to cracks.

Chewing Hard Objects

Using your teeth as tools for cracking nuts or biting on pen caps can lead to having a chipped or broken tooth.

Poor Pulp Health

If the soft tissue of your tooth that carries nerves and blood vessels is damaged, your tooth is more susceptible to cracks.

Age

As you age, your teeth become prone to cracks.

So, when you’re dealing with fractured teeth, they have a backstory linked to your habits.

Types of Cracked or Broken Tooth

Tooth cracks can vary in severity, and understanding the different types of cracks is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment. Here are the main types:

Craze Lines

These are tiny, superficial cracks that appear on the surface of your tooth’s enamel. They are typically harmless and don’t cause pain. Craze lines are often considered a cosmetic issue rather than a dental problem.

Fractured Cusp

This type of tooth fracture occurs when a small piece of the tooth’s chewing surface (the cusp) breaks off. It usually doesn’t affect the tooth’s pulp or nerve so the pain may be minimal.

Dental crowns can restore teeth with fractured cusps.

Tooth Crack

A fractured tooth involves a more significant crack that extends from the chewing surface toward the tooth’s root.

This type of crack can cause pain when chewing or applying pressure and may require a dental crown or root canal therapy according to the depth and location of the crack.

Vertical Root Fracture

This is a severe and often painful type of crack that starts in the tooth’s root and extends upward. Vertical root fractures can be challenging to diagnose and treat. In many cases, extraction may be necessary.

Split Tooth

A split tooth is a more advanced stage of a fractured tooth. It occurs when a crack progresses, dividing the tooth into two separate parts. Saving a split tooth may require complex dental procedures or extraction, depending on the extent of the damage.

Root Fracture

This is a crack that occurs entirely below the gum line and involves the tooth’s root. Root fractures are usually painful and often require root canal therapy or extraction.

Preventing Cracked Tooth Pain

To protect yourself from the unbearable pain that comes with a fractured tooth, there are steps you should take consistently.

Here’s your contingency plan once you’re done with your emergency dental treatment:

• Practice Good Dental Hygiene: Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and early treatment.
• Wear a Mouthguard: If you’re grinding your teeth at night or playing contact sports, consider wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard to protect your tooth enamel.
• Monitor Your Diet: Limit the consumption of sugary candies and hard foods, and avoid chewing ice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does a broken tooth heal on its own?

No, a fractured tooth can’t heal on its own. Once you have cracked teeth, the damage is permanent, and without immediate pain relief and proper treatment, it may worsen over time.

2. How can I prevent chipped teeth pain?

To prevent broken tooth pain, practice good dental hygiene, avoid using your teeth for tasks they’re not meant for, wear protective gear if you engage in contact sports, and address tooth grinding (bruxism) if you have this habit.

4. What happens if I don’t treat a broken tooth?

If left untreated, a broken tooth can lead to further damage, infection, and tooth loss. It’s essential to see a dentist to prevent complications.

5. What do I do if my tooth has just broken?

Here are immediate emergency steps you can take before you see a dentist:

• Keep the tiny cracks so your dentist can inspect them.
• Use gauze or a piece of cotton to press on your teeth and prevent bleeding.

Relieve Symptoms Immediately

Broken tooth pain should never be ignored, as it can worsen over time and lead to further dental issues. Seeking a prompt, professional dental provider not only relieves pain but also prevents complications and helps preserve your natural teeth.

Don’t let broken tooth pain disrupt your life. Contact a professional dentist in St. Leonards, NSW, as soon as possible to address the issue and regain your comfort and peace of mind.

If you suffer from cracked tooth pain, don’t delay. Drop St. Leonards Green Dental a ring at (02) 9158 6211; our experienced dental professionals will help.

 

Note that any invasive procedure carries risks, so only a dentist or an appropriately qualified health practitioner can determine how to take action for your broken tooth pain relief.

Sources:

Bonk, Jeffrey. “How to Recognize the 5 Types of Tooth Cracks.” Spear Education, 22 May 2020, www.speareducation.com/spear-review/2017/08/how-to-recognize-the-5-types-of-tooth-cracks.

Cadman, Bethany. How Do You Know if You Have a Cracked Tooth? 2 June 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322015.

“Chipped or Cracked Tooth Causes and Repair.” Crest, crest.com/en-us/oral-care-tips/adult/chipped-cracked-tooth-causes-repair.

Mathew, Sebeena, et al. “Diagnosis of Cracked Tooth Syndrome.” Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, vol. 4, no. 6, Medknow, Jan. 2012, p. 242.https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-7406.100219.

Norris, Taylor. “What to Do for Pain and a Broken Tooth.” Healthline, 26 Oct. 2018, www.healthline.com/health/toothache-broken-tooth.

Professional, Cleveland Clinic Medical. “Fractured Tooth (Cracked Tooth).” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21628-fractured-tooth-cracked-tooth.

Watson, Shawn. “Cracked or Broken Tooth Pain Relief.” Verywell Health, Nov. 2022, www.verywellhealth.com/toothache-relief-from-a-cracked-or-broken-tooth-1059317.