Dr. Robert Harrell and his skilled team at Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne know how uncomfortable it can be to deal with a cracked tooth. It is essential to book your oral checkup right away if you think you have a cracked or chipped tooth. This way, we can fix the problem before infection sets in or other complications arise.

Some common symptoms of a cracked tooth are discussed below:

  • A cracked tooth can happen from chewing on hard objects or foods like ice, nuts or hard candy. Accidents can cause a it, especially those involving a blow to the mouth. Tooth-grinding or clenching or having uneven chewing pressure can lead to a cracked tooth. Tooth structure wears down over time and large fillings or other restorations can result in a crack. Finally, you can crack a tooth by exposing tooth enamel to extreme hot and cold, such as when you eat hot food followed by drinking ice water.
  • The result of any of these events is often painful and can lead to further oral disease.
  • For patients who may have a cracked tooth, the American Dental Association provides some valuable advice on how to tell if you have one, why it’s painful and how to treat it.
    • First, how do you know if your tooth is cracked? Look for these signs:
    • Have sharp pain when biting down that quickly disappears.
    • You have pain that comes and goes but does not hurt all the time.
    • Feeling pain when eating or drinking.
  • You may have no pain at all. Educate yourself further about the issues that a cracked tooth can present from Colgate

Toothache - man with teeth problems

 Are You At Risk For Cracked Tooth Syndrome?

Many clients at Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne grind their teeth. This is often apparent when we see flat tooth surfaces and worn enamel during your regular dental checkups. While many people who suffer from Bruxism never have an issue, it can definitely contribute to cracked tooth syndrome.  A custom night guard can provide you with some great protection. Learn more about this condition below:

Cause

As with many conditions in the mouth, there’s no one reason for cracked tooth syndrome. However, some common causes include:

  • People who grind or clench their teeth
  • The way a person’s teeth come together it can put too much pressure on one tooth, causing the tooth to crack
  • Teeth with large fillings
  • Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment

Diagnosis

Many people with cracked tooth syndrome have symptoms for months because it’s one of the most difficult dental problems to diagnose. A complete oral examination, dental history, radiographs and the use of a fiber optic hand piece can assist in the detection of cracks. People with a history of it are more likely to have others, either at the same time or in the future.

Treatment

There are several treatments options including bonding, placing a crown, performing a root canal or in severe cases extraction. The type of treatment your dentist recommends will depend on the location and severity of the tooth fracture, so it’s best to schedule an appointment as soon as you suspect that you may have a crack in your tooth. Discover more information on cracked tooth syndrome from Colgate
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Healthy Smiles and Happy Demeanor at ADOB

Suffering from a cracked or broken tooth can dramatically alter your peace of mind, ability to chew and even your self-esteem. Our dedicated team can help you feel great again fast! Don’t put off you dental checkup. Call Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne today to schedule an appointment. There are a variety of options available to help you look and feel your very best. Hear from one of our clients in the following video from our YouTube channel:

https://youtu.be/cFzegUJ7vmg

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Harrell for general, cosmetic or reconstructive dentistry, call Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne today at 704-541-9888 or use the contact form on the website If dental anxiety is an issue, Dr. Harrell is a certified sedation dentist who can give you the care you need without the fear.