Does a Cracked Tooth Need To Be Pulled?

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Picture this: your child is excitedly munching on popcorn during movie night when suddenly they wince in pain. You check and discover a cracked tooth. Now you’re left wondering—does this mean the tooth needs to be pulled? The answer may surprise you.

Not every cracked tooth requires extraction!

In this blog, we’ll discuss the different types of cracked teeth and their treatments, as well as the importance of seeking professional dental care.

Causes of Cracked Teeth

• Dental injuries: Trauma from falls or impacts can crack teeth.
• Sports injuries: Direct hits during contact sports can lead to cracks.
• Chewing hard foods: Biting down on hard items like popcorn kernels can cause damage.
• Tooth grinding: Clenching or grinding weakens teeth, making them prone to cracks.
• Dental work: Large fillings or crowns may lead to surrounding tooth cracks.
• Tooth decay: Extensive decay weakens teeth, increasing crack risk.
• Temperature changes: Rapid shifts between hot and cold foods can stress teeth and cause cracks.

Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth

It can be tricky to spot a cracked tooth in kids, but here’s what you should look out for:

• Sharp pain when your child chews or bites, especially on the chewing surface.
• Tooth sensitivity to cold foods, hot food, or sweet foods.
• Erratic pain that appears suddenly and disappears just as quickly.
• Swelling around the affected tooth.
• Visible crack lines or chipped teeth.

If you notice any of these signs, you should see a dentist right away to prevent further damage.

Types of Cracked Teeth

Craze Lines 

These are minor, surface-level cracks that only impact the outer layer of the tooth’s enamel. Typically, they don’t cause any pain or discomfort and are often detected only during a dental examination.

Your child might not even be aware of them, and they typically don’t require treatment. Regular brushing and routine dental visits will keep these lines from becoming a bigger issue.

Fractured Cusps

A cracked tooth often starts when a piece of the tooth breaks off. This usually happens near an old filling. It can hurt to chew and the tooth might be sensitive to hot or cold foods.

Your child might experience discomfort or sharp pain when biting down on certain foods.

Vertical Cracks 

They extend from the top of the tooth down toward the root. These cracks can vary in depth and may cause significant discomfort, especially when your child chews or bites.

The tooth might be sensitive to both hot and cold temperatures, and your child could experience pain that comes and goes.

Split Teeth 

When the tooth divides into two separate segments it is a result of severe cracking. This type of crack often leads to intense pain and noticeable damage, making the tooth vulnerable to infection. Your child will likely experience significant discomfort and might notice a visible split in the tooth.

Vertical Root Fractures 

These cracks start in the root and work their way up toward the crown of the tooth. They can cause deep, throbbing pain and are often associated with severe infections. Your child might feel a constant, intense pain and see swelling around the affected area.

When Tooth Extraction Is Necessary

Sometimes, pulling the tooth is the best option to protect your child’s oral health. Here’s when you might need to consider it:

• Extensive damage: When the tooth structure is too compromised for a dental filling or crown, extraction is often the best choice.
• Severe infections: If the crack has reached the tooth pulp and caused an infection that could spread to adjacent teeth, you should remove the tooth to prevent further problems.
• Infected pulp: A vertical root fracture can lead to pulp infection. If a root canal isn’t a viable option, extraction may be needed.

Split tooth: When the tooth splits into distinct segments, it’s usually beyond saving and needs to be pulled.

Treatment Options for Cracked Teeth

If your child’s tooth doesn’t need to be pulled, here’s how a pediatric dentist will fix it:

• Dental filling: For minor cracks, the dentist will clean the area and fill the crack with a tooth-colored filling. This restores the tooth’s appearance and function.
• Dental crown: If the crack is more serious, the dentist will reshape the tooth and place a dental crown over it. This protects the tooth from further damage and restores its strength.
• Root canal treatment: When the crack reaches the tooth pulp, the dentist will remove the infected tissue through a root canal procedure, clean the area, and seal it. A crown is then placed on top to protect the tooth.
• Temporary crown: In some cases, the dentist may place a temporary crown to protect the tooth while waiting for a more permanent solution.

For comparison, read our blog: Root canal vs. filling vs. crown: a guide to pediatric dental procedures.

Decision-Making Process

Your pediatric dentist will recommend the best treatment option, but here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on a treatment option. 

❗️ How severe is the crack? If it’s just a minor crack that doesn’t seem to bother your child much, a filling might be enough.

🥲 How much pain is your child in? Is your child experiencing only a little discomfort now and then, or is the pain intense and constant?

🦠 Is there a risk of infection? Has the crack reached the tooth pulp or root, increasing the likelihood of an infection?

🦷 What’s best for your child’s long-term oral health? Would saving the natural tooth be beneficial, or could leaving the tooth in place cause more issues down the road?

Ask your pediatric dentist about the pros and cons of each treatment to make an informed decision.

Preventive Measures

Preventing cracked teeth is always better than dealing with them later. Here’s how you can help keep your child’s teeth healthy:

• Encourage good dental habits: Regular brushing and flossing keep teeth strong and less prone to cracks.
• Avoid hard foods: Teach your child to avoid biting on hard things like popcorn kernels or ice, which can cause tooth fractures.
• Use a mouthguard: Protect your child’s teeth during sports by having them wear a mouthguard.
• Regular dental visits: Regular checkups help catch potential cracks before they turn into bigger issues.

Dealing With a Cracked Tooth: Immediate Steps

If your child cracks a tooth, here’s what you should do right away:

1. Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.
2. Apply cold compresses to the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling.
3. Manage pain with over-the-counter pain medication.
4. Visit an emergency dentist if the crack is severe or causing extreme pain.

Big Apple Pediatric Dentistry: Your Pediatric Dentist in Phoenix, AZ

A cracked tooth can quickly turn into a painful condition if you don’t treat it promptly. Whether it’s a minor crack or something more serious, modern dentistry offers a range of treatment options to help keep your child’s teeth healthy.

If you suspect your child has a cracked tooth, you should contact a dentist as soon as possible. Our experienced pediatric dentist, Dr. Henry Martinez, DMD, specializes in treating children’s dental issues with a gentle and caring approach.

For more information on dealing with dental emergencies, read Managing Pediatric Dental Emergencies. 

If you are searching for a ‘dentist near me that accepts Medicaid’ or ‘tooth extraction for kids in Phoenix, AZ’ we can help! Call (602) 935-7427 to book an appointment or complete the online inquiry form. Check out our guide: Dental First Aid Kits: What Every Parent Should Have At Home. This printable guide lists all the items you need in a dental first aid kit.