Cracked teeth show a variety of symptoms, including erratic pain when
chewing, possibly with release of biting pressure, or pain when your
tooth is exposed to temperature extremes. In many cases, the pain may
come and go, and your dentist may have difficulty locating which tooth
is causing the discomfort.

Why does a cracked tooth hurt?

To understand why a cracked tooth hurts, it helps to know something
about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel
and a hard layer called the dentin, is the inner soft tissue called the
pulp. The loose pulp is a connective tissue that contains cells, blood
vessels and nerves.

When the outer hard tissues of the tooth are cracked, chewing can
cause movement of the pieces, and the pulp can become irritated. When
biting pressure is released, the crack can close quickly, resulting in a
momentary, sharp pain. Irritation of the dental pulp can be repeated
many times by chewing. Eventually, the pulp will become damaged to the
point that it can no longer heal itself. The tooth will not only hurt
when chewing but may also become sensitive to temperature extremes. In
time, a cracked tooth may begin to hurt all by itself. Extensive cracks
can lead to infection of the pulp tissue, which can spread to the bone
and gum tissue surrounding the tooth.

While cracked teeth are not completely preventable, you can take some steps to make your teeth less susceptible to cracks.

Don’t chew on hard objects such as ice, unpopped popcorn kernels or pens.
Don’t clench or grind your teeth.
If you clench or grind your teeth while you sleep, talk to your dentist about getting a retainer or other mouthguard to protect your teeth.
Wear a mouthguard or protective mask when playing contact sports.

Click Here and see the entire article on cracked teeth from AAE.org

Bailey Family Dental

Personalized Dental Care From our Family To yours. Providing Complete Dental Care to Families located in Waukesha, Oconomowoc, and Hartland Wi.

262-369-8633

From the moment you walk in the door, you’ll be welcomed by a caring staff in a relaxed, stress-free environment where the whole family can feel at ease. At Bailey Family Dental, Drs. Terese and Richard Bailey are committed to your individual attention and strive to provide personalized oral health care tailored to your unique dental needs and goals. Your health and comfort are our top priorities. Whether you are looking for information on general dentistry, teeth whitening, crowns, children’s dentistry, preventive care, or periodontal exams, you can learn more about all of your options from our services page. Feel free to contact our Hartland office with any questions. We look forward to making each visit to our office a positive experience.