One of the FAQs we often receive is “why does a chipped tooth hurt?” This article explains why you may feel pain from a chipped or cracked tooth, how to manage pain at home, and how a dentist can restore the tooth with the help of dental crowns.
It’s not uncommon to crack or chip a tooth. Even though tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body, almost as hard as steel, it doesn’t mean it can’t be damaged. A cracked or chipped tooth can be caused by various habits such as chewing or eating hard foods such as ice or objects like pen tops. Other common causes of a chipped tooth include:
- Poor dental hygiene
- Misaligned bite
- Cavities
- Trauma to the mouth or face
- Metal amalgam fillings
- Tongue or cheek piercings
- Excessive teeth grinding
Using teeth to open packages or remove bottle tops can also lead to tooth damage. Generally speaking, you should not bite or chew anything other than food.
How to tell if a tooth is chipped or cracked?
It can be tricky to tell if you have a cracked or chipped tooth. Even if you feel pain, it can be hard to know which tooth hurts and even if the pain comes from the top or bottom of your mouth. Cracks are often invisible to the naked eye and may not even show on an x-ray.
Unless the crack or chip is large, a person may not experience any symptoms.
However, the tooth may become more sensitive to cold, heat, or pain when chewing. It’s also possible to experience a toothache that comes and goes.
If you’re suffering from persistent tooth pain, a visit to the dentist is essential. Ignoring a chipped or cracked tooth could have serious consequences.
Why does a chipped tooth hurt?
The tooth’s centre contains a chamber that houses an intricate network of nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue called the pulp. If a chip or crack reaches the pulp, it can cause tooth sensitivity. Sometimes, a crack in the tooth enamel may extend into the tooth’s nerve, which may cause pain when a person bites down or when they stop biting. While the crack may be invisible to the eye, it’s still large enough to irritate the pulp.
When a tooth is cracked, the pulp may become infected. When this happens, the dentist will usually recommend a root canal.
What to do if you suspect you have a cracked or chipped tooth?
If you break, chip or crack a tooth, it’s vital to schedule an appointment with the dentist as early as you can. Most dentists keep appointments aside for emergencies, so call and explain your situation.
Meanwhile, here’s what to do while you wait to see the dentist.
- Collect any pieces of the chipped tooth to show the dentist. While they can’t reattach the pieces, they can determine if they are tooth enamel or parts of a tooth filling.
- Place clean gauze over the tooth and gently bite down to ease any bleeding or pain.
- Take over the counter painkillers like Ibuprofen to ease any pain.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to remove bacteria from an infected area
What not to do?
Certain things can worsen the pain. While you wait to see the dentist, avoid the following:
- Hard foods which could cause further damage to the tooth
- Sugary foods and beverages that could irritate the exposed inner layer of the tooth
- Overly hot or cold food or drinks that could cause pain in a cracked or chipped tooth
- Acidic foods and beverages such as vinegar, tomatoes, and citrus fruits which could irritate the tooth’s nerve
Hopefully, we have answered the question, “why does a chipped tooth hurt,” so let’s move on to how a dentist can repair a tooth that is chipped or cracked.
Treatment options for a chipped tooth
Treatment depends on the chip or crack’s size, location, and direction, as well as your symptoms. Our No Gaps dentist will talk about the best treatments for your case, which may include:
- Porcelain veneers – a thin porcelain cover placed over the front of the tooth to conceal fine cracks and chips
- Dental bonding – composite tooth-coloured resin placed on the surface of the affected tooth, moulded into shape and hardened with a high-intensity light to improve the tooth’s appearance
- Root canal – to remove any infection and save the tooth, which is filled and given additional protection with a dental crown
What are dental crowns?
A dental crown is a hollow cover or cap placed over the tooth’s visible part, covering it from the top to the gum line.
Dental crowns protect weak teeth and help prevent further cracks or chips from appearing while also improving appearance. There are several types of dental crowns, with the most popular being porcelain because of its similarity to tooth enamel.
To prepare the tooth for a dental crown, the dentist will file down the top and sides of the affected tooth to make room for the restoration. Once done, an impression is taken manually with dental putty or with a digital scanner to enable the dental lab to make the custom crown. The patient is then fitted with a temporary dental crown while waiting for their permanent crown to be fabricated and fitted later.
However, here at No Gaps, we have invested in CEREC technology that allows us to design, mill, and fit a custom dental crown in a single dental appointment – thus avoiding the need for a temporary dental crown and meaning a patient need only attend one dental visit.
Do you have a chipped tooth that does hurt?
Don’t put up with pain from a chipped tooth. Depending on the level of damage, our experienced dentists can restore aesthetics and function with beautiful customised dental crowns in just one appointment. Why not schedule an appointment with a No Gaps dentist near you. We’ll be happy to discuss your best treatment options. Call us on today on (02) 8806 0227.
References
Healthline.com – What’s the Hardest Substance In The Human Body?
https://www.healthline.com/health/hardest-substance-in-the-human-body#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Mohs%20Hardness,10%20on%20the%20Mohs%20scale.
American Association of Endodontists – What is a Root Canal?
https://www.aae.org/patients/root-canal-treatment/what-is-a-root-canal/
Healthline – Types of Dental Crowns
https://www.healthline.com/find-care/articles/dentists/dental-crown#types