Signs You May Have a Cracked Tooth

An emergency rarely happens when it is expected or convenient, yet they are always obvious. Or are they? While most emergencies present themselves with obvious signs that let you know to seek immediate care, there are certain situations where signs and symptoms are overlooked. A cracked tooth is one of the most ignored dental emergencies simply because people do not know the signs that indicate that they have cracked a tooth.

It is true that tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, but that does not make it invincible to damage. Many people crack their teeth doing common, yet bad, habits. For instance, chewing ice is one of the most common causes of a cracked tooth. Chewing hard candy and biting the fingernails are also common causes simply because these actions put a great amount of stress and pressure on the teeth. Avoiding these bad habits is essential to protecting your teeth. It is also vital that those who participate in any type of physical contact sport wear the appropriate mouth guards and helmets to protect their teeth. You only get one set of permanent teeth in a lifetime, so protecting them from damage should be a priority in your life.

Cracking a tooth while biting down on something hard typically produces an immediate, sharp pain in the tooth. This intense pain lets you know that it is imperative that you visit your dentist as soon as possible. However, there are other, less obvious, signs of a cracked tooth. Becoming familiar with them can help you save your tooth:

• Intense pain in a tooth
• Sharp pain or discomfort when biting. The pain will be present when you close your teeth and put pressure on the tooth, but as soon as the teeth are separated the pain will cease.
• Tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, and sour
• A chipped tooth
• A visible line in a tooth
• Discoloration of a single tooth

If you are worried that you have a cracked tooth, or you experience any unwanted or irregular symptoms inside your mouth, please contact Smiles by Seese today. We are here for all of your dental health care needs.