It always starts with something small. Maybe you bit down on a popcorn kernel. Maybe you clenched your jaw a little too tightly during a stressful meeting. Maybe you can’t even remember how it happened, but now one of your teeth doesn’t feel quite right. You run your tongue along the edge and realize: something’s off. It’s rough. Maybe even sharp.
A cracked or broken tooth isn’t always an emergency, but it’s never something to ignore. Depending on the severity, it can lead to more serious dental problems, some of which may require root canals or even extractions if not treated early.
Let’s take a closer look at how cracked teeth happen, how serious they can be, what your options are, and when it’s time to call your dentist.
How bad is a cracked tooth?
The answer depends on the type and depth of the crack. Not all cracked teeth are created equal. Some are minor and affect only the outer enamel, while others go deep enough to impact the inner pulp or root.
Here are the most common types of tooth cracks:
- Craze lines: Tiny cracks that only affect the outer enamel. These are generally harmless and often don’t require treatment.
- Fractured cusps: Cracks that usually occur around a dental filling. These don’t always reach the tooth’s nerve, but they do need repair to prevent further damage.
- Cracks extending toward the gum line: These are more serious. If the crack extends below the gum, it may compromise the tooth’s viability.
- Split tooth: When a crack divides the tooth into two distinct sections. This often requires extraction, although in some cases, part of the tooth may be saved.
- Vertical root fractures: These begin in the root and extend upward. These cracks are often invisible and hard to diagnose until the surrounding gum becomes inflamed or infected.
So, how bad is your cracked tooth? The only real way to know is to visit your dentist. We use digital X-rays and sometimes even special lights or dyes to see the full picture. Some cracks are nearly invisible to the naked eye but can cause intense pain if they’ve reached the nerve.
The key takeaway? If you notice pain when chewing, sensitivity to hot or cold, or visible damage to your tooth, don’t wait. Even a small crack can let bacteria in, putting you at risk of infection.
What happens if you leave a cracked tooth untreated?
Let’s say you notice a small crack, but it doesn’t hurt, yet. You figure it can wait. The problem is that time isn’t usually on your side when it comes to tooth cracks.
Even a small, painless crack can worsen over time with chewing, clenching, or grinding. Here’s what could happen if you delay treatment:
- Increased sensitivity: As the crack deepens, it may expose the dentin layer beneath your enamel, leading to sensitivity with hot, cold, or sweet foods.
- Infection: If bacteria enter through the crack and reach the pulp (the inner layer with nerves and blood vessels), it can cause inflammation, pain, and infection. This may eventually require root canal therapy.
- Tooth fracture: A crack can deepen and turn into a full-blown fracture, splitting the tooth. At that point, saving the tooth becomes much harder, and sometimes impossible.
- Bone loss: In cases of vertical root fractures, the infection can spread into the surrounding bone, compromising the stability of nearby teeth.
- Abscesses: When infection spreads, it can lead to pus-filled pockets around the tooth and gums, causing pain and swelling.
The earlier you treat a cracked tooth, the simpler (and cheaper) the solution often is. For example, small cracks might just need a filling or bonding. Larger ones may require a crown to hold the tooth together. Once the pulp is involved, more complex treatments come into play.
Remember, even if you’re not in pain now, cracked teeth rarely heal on their own. In fact, they often get worse without warning. Catching it early means you have more options and better odds of keeping your natural tooth intact.
Can you crack a tooth from grinding?
Yes, and it’s more common than most people realize. Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, puts a tremendous amount of pressure on your teeth, especially at night when you may not even know it’s happening.
Over time, that pressure can wear down your enamel, flatten your chewing surfaces, and lead to cracks. Here’s how grinding can lead to tooth damage:
- Repeated force: Unlike a single incident like biting into a hard object, grinding causes repetitive stress. Over months or years, this constant pressure weakens the enamel.
- Microfractures: These are tiny cracks that may not be noticeable at first but gradually deepen with time.
- Tooth mobility: Grinding can also lead to gum recession and loose teeth, making them more susceptible to cracking.
- Jaw strain: Bruxism often causes discomfort in the jaw, neck, or face, adding to the problem and sometimes masking the fact that your teeth are the ones in distress.
If you grind your teeth, your dentist can recommend solutions like custom night guards. These are molded to fit your teeth and cushion the force of grinding. They won’t stop the habit itself, but they will protect your teeth from the worst of the damage.
In addition to night guards, it’s important to explore the root cause of bruxism. Stress, anxiety, misaligned teeth, or even certain sleep disorders can all contribute. A dentist can help guide you toward a long-term solution.
What can be done to fix a broken or cracked tooth?
Treatment depends on the severity and location of the crack, as well as whether the pulp is affected. Here are the most common options:
- Dental bonding: For small chips or surface cracks, your dentist can apply a tooth-colored resin to restore the shape and seal the crack.
- Dental crowns: When a tooth has a larger crack but the root is still intact, a crown can protect the tooth and prevent further damage.
- Root canal therapy: If the pulp is infected or inflamed, a root canal removes the damaged tissue and seals the inside of the tooth. The tooth is then capped with a crown.
- Extraction and implants: In cases where the tooth cannot be saved, it may need to be removed and replaced with a dental implant or bridge.
The good news? Modern dental technology makes all these procedures more comfortable, efficient, and effective than ever before. Many treatments can be done in just one or two visits.
Don’t wait until it breaks more
A cracked or broken tooth is not something to shrug off. What starts as a small, painless issue can quickly turn into a bigger (and more expensive) problem if left untreated. Whether it’s the result of an accident, grinding your teeth, or just wear and tear over the years, you deserve to have it checked out.
At First Choice Dentistry, we’re here to help you understand what’s going on and offer the best solution for your smile. From small chips to complex cracks, we’ve seen it all and fixed it all.
If you’ve noticed something off with your tooth, or if you’re feeling sensitivity, pain, or pressure, don’t wait. Schedule an appointment today and let us take care of it before it turns into something worse.
