Understanding Cracked Teeth
A cracked tooth can cause anything from mild sensitivity to severe pain. Knowing the type of crack is key. Find out what options there are.
What is a cracked tooth?
A cracked tooth is a tooth with a break (fracture) running through it.
Some cracks are tiny lines on the surface. These are harmless. Others are deep breaks that split the root. These can put the tooth at risk.
Cracked teeth are one of the most common causes of dental pain in adults.
They can be hard to find. Cracks do not always show on X-rays, or even when you look closely.
There are several types of crack. The treatment and outlook depend a lot on the type and how deep it goes:
- Craze lines. These are tiny cracks in the outer layer (enamel) only. They are very common and harmless. No treatment is needed.
- Broken cusp (fractured cusp). A piece of the outer chewing surface breaks off. This does not usually affect the nerve. It is often treated with a filling or crown.
- Cracked tooth. A crack runs from the chewing surface towards the root. Over time it can affect the nerve. Treatment ranges from a crown to root canal treatment, depending on how deep it is.
- Split tooth. The tooth has split fully into two parts. It usually cannot be saved.
- Crack in the root (vertical root fracture). This crack starts in the root. It often causes few symptoms until an infection starts. The tooth usually needs to come out.
What causes cracked teeth?
Teeth can crack for several reasons:
- Chewing hard foods, such as ice, hard sweets, popcorn kernels or crusty bread
- Grinding your teeth (bruxism). The pressure over time weakens and cracks the enamel.
- Large fillings. Teeth with large old fillings have less natural tooth left, so they crack more easily.
- Injury, such as a blow to the mouth in an accident or sport
- Sudden changes in temperature, such as very hot food and then a cold drink
- Age. Teeth naturally get more brittle as you get older.
Signs and symptoms
A cracked tooth can be very hard to spot. Common signs are:
- A sharp pain when you bite or chew. It often comes when you let go of the bite, rather than when you bite down.
- Pain that comes and goes. It is not constant and is often hard to repeat.
- Pain with cold, hot or sweet foods that lasts a short while
- Pain that moves around and is hard to pin down
- Finding it hard to chew on one side
You may have a constant, bad ache with swelling or a bad taste. This may mean the crack has let an infection start. Get urgent dental care.
How are cracked teeth treated?
Treatment depends on the type, place and depth of the crack.
Your dental team will check the tooth carefully. They may use special bite tests, dye and X-rays. They may also shine a bright light through the tooth to show cracks (transillumination).
Even with all these tests, some cracks are still hard to see. Sometimes treatment is advised based on your symptoms alone.
- Craze lines: no treatment is needed. Tooth-coloured bonding may be offered if you are worried about how they look.
- Broken cusp: a new filling or a crown to protect and repair the tooth.
- Cracked tooth (not yet reaching the nerve): a crown to hold the tooth together and stop the crack getting deeper. This is often the best way to save the tooth.
- Cracked tooth (reaching the nerve): root canal treatment, then a crown.
- Split tooth or crack in the root: the tooth usually needs to come out. Your dentist will talk about ways to replace it.
Sadly, there is no promise that a cracked tooth can be saved. This depends on how deep the crack is and which way it runs.
What you can do at home
While you wait for your appointment:
- Do not bite on the sore side of your mouth.
- Avoid very hard foods like ice, hard sweets and crusty bread.
- Avoid very hot or very cold food and drinks if the tooth is sensitive.
- Take painkillers you can buy (over the counter), such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, if you need them. Follow the instructions on the packet. Do not take ibuprofen if you have asthma, heart or blood vessel disease (cardiovascular disease), stomach problems or kidney problems. Do not take it if you take blood thinners or are pregnant.
To lower the risk of other teeth cracking, it may help to:
- wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
- not chew ice, hard sweets or other very hard foods
- wear a mouthguard for contact sports
When to see your dental team
Book an appointment soon if:
- you have pain when biting that is not getting better
- a tooth has visibly broken or a piece has come off
- sensitivity is getting worse or not settling
Get urgent dental care if you get swelling, a bad taste or constant throbbing pain. These may mean an infection has started. Contact your practice, or call NHS 111 when it is closed.
This leaflet is for general information only and does not replace professional dental advice. Your dental team will discuss your individual circumstances and any risks and treatment specific to you. Treatment outcomes vary between patients depending on individual circumstances.
Sources
- Chipped, broken or cracked tooth. NHS website (nhs.uk), reviewed January 2025.
- Cracked teeth. Oral Health Foundation.
Links checked 18 October 2026.
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