Usually seen in the back teeth, cracked tooth syndrome can also affect front teeth if they suffer from an accidental knock or break. Cracked tooth syndrome refers to symptoms resulting from a cracked crown or tooth root.
As the crack in the tooth develops, it will expose the layer of tooth below the enamel called the dentine. This layer protects the small nerves known as the pulp. As more pressure is exerted against the tooth, the crack opens and causes the fluid to move. As the biting pressure is released, the crack pushes closed and the nerve is stimulated to cause pain.
In some cases, where the crack has made the pulp inside the root of the tooth become infected, root canal treatment may be required. As the cracks gets bigger, you may notice the tooth becoming more sensitive to hot & cold food/liquids.
Also, if the crack extends into the root area, it may be assessed non-restorable and may need to be extracted/removed.
Make sure to wear a mouthguard during contact sports.
If you find you grind/clench your teeth at night, it would be wise to consider an OCCLUSAL SPLINT (night guard) to be worn at night.
Stop habits like biting on hard objects like pens, chewing ice, etc., which can notably damage the outer layer of tooth and end up in more expensive treatment.