Your tooth enamel is the strongest material in your entire body, but even it has its limits. A tooth can develop a crack from daily wear and tear, and these tiny fractures are often tricky to spot on your own. If you’re experiencing unexplained tooth pain, a hidden crack could be the reason.
Learning to recognize the subtle symptoms is the first step toward finding relief, which is why regular dental exams are so important. The most common signs of a cracked tooth include pain that comes and goes, discomfort when chewing, and new sensitivity to temperatures or sweets. Paying attention to these clues can help you figure out what your mouth is trying to tell you.
Common Causes of a Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth can happen to anyone, and it’s not always from a major accident. Everyday habits and events can put enough stress on a tooth to cause a fracture. Understanding these causes can help you protect your smile.
One of the most frequent reasons for a crack is biting down on something unexpectedly hard. This could be an unpopped popcorn kernel, a piece of ice, or hard candy. The sudden, focused pressure can be too much for the tooth to handle.
Habits like clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth also put immense strain on your enamel. Many people do this in their sleep or during times of stress without even realizing it. Over time, this repeated pressure can lead to small cracks in your teeth.
Even sudden temperature changes can be a problem. When you drink a cold beverage right after eating hot soup, your teeth expand and contract quickly. This rapid change can sometimes cause a fine crack to form in the enamel.
Telltale Signs of a Cracked Tooth
The feelings associated with a cracked tooth can be inconsistent, which makes them easy to dismiss. However, if you notice any of the following signs, it’s worth paying closer attention. Your symptoms provide important information about your oral health.
Pain That Comes & Goes
Unlike the constant throb of a cavity, the pain from a cracked tooth is often sporadic. You might feel a sharp, quick pain that vanishes almost immediately. This can make it difficult to pinpoint which tooth is the source of the problem.
This on-and-off pain happens because the crack may open and close with different movements. The inconsistency can be confusing, but it’s a classic sign of a fracture. The pain may seem to have no rhyme or reason, appearing one day and disappearing the next.
Discomfort When You Chew
You may find that you only feel pain when you bite down in a specific way. Releasing the bite can sometimes cause more of a jolt than the pressure itself. This happens because chewing pressure can separate the 2 pieces of the cracked tooth.
This separation can irritate the soft, sensitive tissue inside your tooth, also known as the pulp. You might even start to avoid chewing on one side of your mouth to prevent the discomfort. If you’ve changed your eating habits to avoid a certain tooth, a crack could be the culprit.
New Sensitivity to Temperatures & Sweets
A crack can act like a doorway, exposing the inner layers of your tooth to the outside world. This part of your tooth is much more sensitive than the outer enamel. As a result, you might feel a sudden shock of pain when you consume certain things.
Common triggers include hot coffee, ice cream, or even a breath of cold air. Sugary foods and drinks can also cause a sharp, brief pain by seeping into the fracture. If a tooth that was never sensitive before suddenly is, take note.
Swollen Gums Near the Tooth
A crack can create an entry point for bacteria to get deep inside your tooth. If this happens, it can lead to an infection around the tooth’s root. Your body’s response to this infection is often visible as soreness or swelling in your gums.
You might notice that the gum tissue around a single tooth is swollen, tender, or red. In some cases, a small, pimple-like bump—called an abscess—may form on the gum. This is a sign that your body is fighting an infection that needs attention.
Pain with No Obvious Cause
Sometimes, the biggest sign is the most confusing one: a sore tooth with no visible problem. You might check in the mirror and see nothing out of the ordinary. This is very common with hairline fractures that are too small to see with the naked eye.
If your tooth aches but you can’t find a cavity or any other clear issue, a tiny crack is a strong possibility. The discomfort is real, even if the source is invisible. Describing this type of unexplained pain to your dental team is very helpful.
Can You Have a Crack You Can’t See?
Yes, it’s very common for tooth fractures to be invisible to the naked eye. These are often called “craze lines” or hairline fractures, and some are so fine that they don’t even show up clearly on a standard dental X-ray. This is why your description of the symptoms is so important.
When you explain that you feel pain only when you eat something crunchy or drink something cold, it gives your dentist valuable clues. We can use special tools, like a bright light or dental dye, to help locate the source of the problem. Your experience of the pain helps guide the examination.
What Happens If a Cracked Tooth Is Left Alone?
Unlike a cut on your skin, which can regenerate and heal naturally, a cracked tooth cannot heal on its own. If left untreated, the crack can slowly grow larger and deeper over time. What started as a minor issue can become a more significant problem.
As the crack spreads, it can damage the inner structure of the tooth, potentially leading to infection. In more serious situations, the crack can extend below the gum line. Addressing the crack early on gives you the best chance to save the tooth and avoid more complex treatments or a dental emergency down the road.
Treatment Options
Fortunately, there are several effective ways to treat a cracked tooth. The right approach for you depends on the crack’s size, location, and severity. We will always discuss your options with you to find a solution you’re comfortable with.
For a very small crack, we may be able to repair it with dental bonding material, similar to a filling. For larger fractures, a dental crown is often suggested. A crown is a cap that fits over the entire tooth to hold it together and protect it from further damage.
If the crack has reached the soft tissue inside the tooth, a root canal treatment may be part of the plan to address any infection and save the tooth. Your comfort is our priority, and we’ll work with you to create a plan that fits your needs.
Find Relief from Tooth Pain
Don’t let unexplained tooth pain keep you from enjoying your life. If any of these signs sound familiar, we’re here to help you get to the bottom of it. The friendly team at Shawnessy Dental Centre is ready to listen to your concerns and help you find a solution.
An exam with our team can pinpoint the cause of your discomfort. We can create a plan to help you smile comfortably again. Book your appointment with us today and take the first step toward relief.
