Dental Articles - London
The Crunch and the Zing: What a Broken Tooth Is Really Telling You
Posted by MEK Dental on Tue, 24 Feb 2026
You know the moment instantly. A sudden crunch — wrong, unexpected, unmistakable. Then comes the zing: a sharp, electric jolt that shoots straight through your jaw and into your brain.
Few sensations are as jarring as a tooth breaking. When your mouth throbs, it hijacks your attention. Eating, talking, even thinking becomes secondary to that relentless pulse.
The Anatomy of an Ache: Why It Hurts
The Protective Shield
Your teeth are built like fortresses. The outer layer, enamel, is the hardest substance in the human body — stronger than bone. But despite its toughness, enamel is lifeless. It has no nerves, no blood supply, and no ability to feel pain.
The "Live" Center
Beneath the enamel lies dentin, a porous layer filled with microscopic tubules that act like tiny highways. At the core sits the pulp — a soft chamber containing nerves and blood vessels. This is the living heart of your tooth and the source of that infamous zing.
The Science of the Sting
When a crack exposes dentin, stimuli like cold air, hot coffee, or sweet foods travel through those tubules straight to the nerve. That is why even breathing in can feel like a shock.
The "Hydraulic" Effect
Biting down makes it worse. When you chew, the crack can open slightly, then snap shut when you release pressure. This movement pumps fluid inside the dentin like a tiny hydraulic piston, sending pressure waves directly to the nerve. The result is a sharp, biting pain that is impossible to ignore.
The Dangerous Silence: When It Doesn't Hurt
The Nerve Death Myth
What if your tooth breaks and you feel nothing? Many people assume that is good news. In reality, it can mean the nerve inside has already died or is dying — a process called necrosis.
The Looming Infection
A dead nerve doesn't mean the problem is gone. The tooth becomes a hollow straw — a perfect hiding place for bacteria. Without pain signals, infection can quietly spread.
The Abscess Risk
Pressure and bacteria build up at the root tip, forming an abscess — a painful, swollen infection in the jawbone. The first sign is often sudden facial swelling or severe pain that seems to appear from nowhere.
The Key Takeaway
Silence can be a quiet warning that the clock is ticking. A painless broken tooth still needs prompt professional attention.
Categorizing the Break: A Quick Guide
Not all cracks are created equal. Here's a simple breakdown:
| Type | Description | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Craze Lines | Tiny surface cracks in the enamel. Usually cosmetic and harmless. | Low |
| Fractured Cusp | A piece of the chewing surface breaks off. Often painful when biting but commonly repairable with a crown. | Moderate |
| Split Tooth | A deep crack extending below the gumline. Often painful and considered a dental emergency. | High |
| Vertical Root Fracture | Cracks that start in the root and move upward. Can be painless for a long time until an infection develops. | High |
Immediate "Right Now" Steps
If you've just broken a tooth, here's what to do immediately:
Cleanse
Rinse with warm saltwater to reduce bacteria and soothe the area.
Protect
Cover sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum to shield your tongue and reduce nerve exposure.
Don't Wait
Teeth don't heal like skin. Every bite can spread the crack further, turning a small chip into a major procedure.
Pain is your body's gift — a flashing alarm telling you to act. Silence can be a quiet warning that the clock is ticking.
Modern dentistry offers painless, effective ways to seal, save, or replace damaged teeth. A quick visit today can prevent a root canal, extraction, or implant tomorrow.
Dentist London