When you bite down you feel a sharp pain. It quickly disappears, and perhaps you ignore it. You may avoid certain foods or chew only on one side of your mouth. Does any of this sound familiar? If so, you may have a cracked tooth.

A tooth may crack due to unexpectedly biting down on a hard object such as a piece of bone in hamburger. However, most fractures in teeth occur simply due to the extreme chewing pressures we place on our teeth during our lifetime of chewing food. Loss of significant portions of tooth structure through wear, large fillings or other restorations can weaken the tooth and create an ideal situation for the tooth to fracture. Other situations can lead to tooth fractures such as grinding or clenching your teeth, uneven chewing pressure, chewing on ice or hard candy, and of course an accident such as a blow to the mouth.

It can be very difficult. You may not even be able to tell which tooth hurts or whether the pain is from an upper or lower tooth. A crack in a tooth is generally a hairline fracture occurring in the grooves or crevices of the posterior teeth or alongside a large filling in a tooth. The fracture is usually invisible to the eye and generally will not show up even on an X-ray.

You can assist your dentist in determining which tooth is creating the problem by noting when and where you have sensitivity to heat or cold and to sweet, sour or sticky food, as well as approximately where the pain is when you are chewing.

A cracked tooth hurts because the pressure of chewing causes the crack to microscopically open. Even though the crack may be invisible to the eye, when it opens the pulp inside the tooth will become irritated. The pulp is a soft tissue inside the tooth that contains the tooth's blood vessels and nerves. As the crack irritates the pulp, the tooth may become sensitive to extremes in temperature. If the pulp is damaged enough as a result of the crack, root canal treatment may be necessary to save the tooth.

Depending on the size and location of the fracture, treatment can vary from bonding, to a new filling or restoration, or a crown to restore the strength and integrity of the tooth. Most teeth that have fractured will be best treated by placement of a full crown (cap) on the tooth, but your dentist at the Dental Center will determine the best treatment for your particular situation.

Tiny cracks in the enamel of the teeth are common and usually do not cause problems. Regular dental checkups are important. These allow your dentist to diagnose and treat problems in the early stage. If you suspect that you may have a cracked tooth, avoid chewing on the affected side and call your dentist at the Dental Center.