What “cracks in the teeth” usually refers to
Cracks in teeth can include:
1. Craze lines
Tiny, shallow surface cracks in the enamel
Very common in adults
Usually harmless and painless
2. Cracked tooth
A deeper crack that extends into the dentin
May cause pain when biting or with temperature changes
Needs dental evaluation
3. Split tooth
A crack that has progressed so far the tooth separates into segments
Often requires extraction
4. Fractured cusp
A piece of the tooth around a filling or corner breaks off
May need a crown but usually not as severe as a full crack
Symptoms of a cracked tooth
Sharp pain when biting or chewing
Sensitivity to heat/cold
Intermittent pain (comes and goes)
Feeling like something is “caught” in the tooth
Sometimes no symptoms at all
What to do
Avoid chewing on that side
Avoid hard foods
Schedule a dental appointment soon — early treatment helps preserve the tooth
If there’s pain, over-the-counter pain relief can help until you see a dentist
