Ice cube vs tooth, one of them is going to give way. But which one?

Dr Gordon Tam • December 23, 2019

It is a satisfying moment to bite on an ice cube from our drinks. Do you know what damage it may potentially cause?

What is a tooth crack?


A tooth crack is a crack found in a tooth structure. It may start from a craze line, and the crack gets deeper and bigger. Depending on how deep the tooth crack is, if the crack is deep enough to hit the nerve chamber, you may possibly feel pain when biting on it or be sensitive to temperature.


Why did my tooth crack?


Tooth crack can be due to several reasons. One of the most common reasons is you bite on something hard and caused the crack. 

 

  • Biting on something hard - ice cube, hard candy, bones, nuts 
  • Teeth grinding - accumulative pressure exerted to the teeth subconsciously when you are sleeping. The force can be great. In this case, tooth crack may no longer be just 1 tooth but possibly on multiple teeth. 
  • Trauma or injury to the mouth
  • Wear and tear 


Can a cracked tooth heal by itself?


Unfortunately, a cracked tooth cannot heal by itself. Our teeth are one of the rare body parts that will not heal or regenerate by itself. So as we always advise you, seek dental treatments early


Complications of a cracked tooth

 

  • Crack goes deeper from the tooth surface to the nerve, this causes sharp pain when you bite and tooth sensitivity to hot/cold.
  • Food trap and bacteria get into the crack, it is impossible for you to clean through the crack
  • Gum starts to swell and bleed when the food traps for some time. You will feel gum swollen and soreness
  • Tooth decay begins to develop and aggravate the tooth crack issue
  • Treatment becomes more complicated as the crack deepens
  • Eventually leads to loss of tooth if no or delayed treatment

 

Symptoms of a cracked tooth

 

  • Sharp pain when biting
  • Sensitive to temperature
  • Throbbing pain

 

These symptoms do not go away until the problem is addressed. In some cases, most of the time, the cracked tooth needs to have a crown to replace it. However, if the crack hits the nerve, a root canal treatment is required before the crown. 


On some severe cases of a crack tooth that is beyond salvage, we will propose to remove it and replace it with a dental implant.


Treatment

 

  • Crown
  • If the crack progresses and causes injury to the nerve, it will require root canal treatment, then followed by a crown
  • Severe crack tooth, unable to save, need to be extracted and replaced by an implant or a dental bridge

 

We often hear from patients who only see a dentist when they feel pain. 


During every routine dental appointment, we will conduct a round of examinations to update you with your current dental condition. With the intraoral photographs taken on every visit and checks done under a dental microscope, we are able to keep track of those teeth that are under our watch list, to make comparisons and help you to resolve your dental issues and signs of tooth cracks as early as possible.


Don’t wait till you can’t tolerate the pain. If you have signs and symptoms, do seek consultation and treatment early.

For more information and consultation, please contact Smile Design Dental Practice at +65 6463 8588.

To serve you better, we are available by Appointment Only. 
Please contact us to schedule for an appointment.

Ultra Conservative Restorative Dentistry

By Gordon Tam • April 17, 2026
Precision Care. Maximum Preservation. Better Outcomes. Modern dentistry is evolving beyond traditional “drill and fill” approaches. At the forefront of this evolution is Ultra Conservative Restorative Dentistry. This philosophy prioritises preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible while delivering durable, aesthetic, and biologically sound results. This approach is made possible through the integration of advanced technologies, including operating microscopes, micro-instruments, AI-assisted digital diagnostics, and strict isolation techniques such as rubber dam use.

The Importance of Dental Condition Monitoring: Protecting Your Smile Over Time

By Gordon Tam • April 8, 2026
Modern dentistry is no longer just about fixing problems—it’s about detecting, tracking, and preventing them before they become serious. Dental condition monitoring plays a crucial role in maintaining long-term oral health, enabling both patients and clinicians to identify subtle changes early and intervene promptly. With advanced technologies such as the 3Shape TRIOS 6 AI-assistive digital diagnostic intraoral scanner, high-resolution intraoral photography, and digital X-ray radiographs, dental monitoring today is more precise, visual, and predictive than ever before.

Dental Erosion: Causes, Effects, and Treatment Options

By Gordon Tam • March 28, 2026
Dental erosion is an increasingly common condition in modern society, affecting patients of all ages. Unlike tooth decay caused by bacteria, erosion is the progressive loss of tooth structure due to chemical processes—primarily acids—without bacterial involvement. Understanding its causes, early signs, and treatment options is essential for preserving long-term oral health.

Why Magnification Matters?

By Gordon Tam • March 23, 2026
A Clearer View. A Higher Standard. A Better Smile. In today’s world of high-definition screens and precision engineering, it may surprise you that dentistry was traditionally performed with the naked eye. While dentists have always aimed for excellence, human vision has limits. And in a field measured in fractions of millimetres, those limits matter. That’s where magnification comes in.

Ways to Cultivate Good Dental Habits in Children

By Gordon Tam • March 7, 2026
As parents, we want the best for our children—and that includes healthy, beautiful smiles that last a lifetime. Establishing good dental habits early sets the foundation for excellent oral health well into adulthood. Here are some practical, fun ways to help your children develop positive dental care routines.

Understanding Gum Recession: Causes and Treatment Options

By Gordon Tam • February 23, 2026
Gum recession is a common dental condition where the gum tissue surrounding the teeth wears away or pulls back, exposing more of the tooth or its root. This not only affects your smile but can also lead to serious dental problems if left untreated. Let's explore the leading causes of gum recession and the treatments available.

How does thumb sucking affect a child’s growing teeth?

By Gordon Tam • February 12, 2026
For Parents: Understanding thumb sucking is the first step to protecting your child's smile. If you've noticed your toddler or young child frequently sucking their thumb, you're not alone. Thumb sucking is a completely natural self-soothing behaviour that many children develop, sometimes even before birth. While it's normal for babies and very young children, parents often wonder: When does it become a problem for my child's teeth?

Causes of Food Trap in between Teeth

By Gordon Tam • February 3, 2026
A food trap between teeth refers to the tendency for food particles to become stuck in the spaces between two teeth during or after eating. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, persistent food trapping can be a sign of underlying dental issues and may lead to discomfort, gum inflammation, bad breath, and even tooth decay if left unaddressed. Understanding the potential causes of food traps is essential for both prevention and timely treatment.

The Benefits of Wearing a Night Guard (Occlusal Splint) for Sleep Bruxism

By Gordon Tam • January 27, 2026
Teeth grinding or clenching during sleep, known as sleep bruxism, is a common condition that affects many people without their awareness. Often discovered through symptoms such as jaw pain, headaches, tooth sensitivity, or worn-down teeth, bruxism can lead to significant oral and facial problems if left unmanaged. One of the most effective and widely recommended preventive measures is the use of a night guard, also called an occlusal splint. This simple oral appliance can provide multiple benefits for individuals who grind their teeth while sleeping.

Options to Replace Multiple Missing Teeth

By Gordon Tam • January 8, 2026
Losing several teeth can affect more than just your appearance. It can impact chewing efficiency, speech, facial support, and overall oral health. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers several effective options to replace multiple missing teeth. The right solution depends on the number of missing teeth, bone condition, budget, lifestyle, and long-term goals. Below is an overview of the most common tooth replacement options and what to consider for each.
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