How Do I Know If I Cracked a Tooth?

Sometimes, it’s easy to tell when you’ve cracked your tooth. You may have just bitten into something hard like a particularly crunchy apple or had a rough hit during some kind of contact sport, and you feel the crack immediately. Other times, it’s not so clear. The thing is, you want to be able to spot a cracked tooth as soon as possible so you can get treatment ASAP. Otherwise, the tooth can just become more damaged over time, leading to even more troubles on your end.

Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth

One of the main ways you can tell if you have a cracked tooth is to pay attention when you’re biting down or chewing. Do you notice pain when you apply pressure like that? Does the pain lessen if you’re not chewing? That could be a sign that you have a cracked tooth since the fractured pieces are moving in that moment and maybe even irritating the inner, soft pulp area of the tooth, which is sensitive.

Another common sign of a cracked tooth is temperature sensitivity. If you’re eating something cold like ice cream or drinking something hot like a cup of coffee, then you may feel sensitivity, or even pain, in one tooth in particular. That means that there could be an issue with that specific tooth, rather than an overall problem of tooth sensitivity.

Visit the Dentist

If you notice any of the symptoms we mentioned above, it’s in your best interest to schedule an appointment with a dentist so they can examine your tooth for any cracks. Really, the best way to know for sure if you have a cracked tooth is to let a dental professional take a look since they’ll know exactly what to check for, either with the naked eye or with an X-ray.

Think you have a cracked tooth? Set up an appointment at Dental Solutions of Avon/Indy, and our team will be happy to get you a definite answer. We can also provide you with restorative dentistry to get your smile back to great shape. Call or email us today!