You grind your teeth at night, chew on ice, or bite into an apple—simple, daily activities. Then, one day, you experience it: a sharp ache when eating, an odd sensitivity to heat or cold, or an ill-defined discomfort that is difficult to identify. Could it be a cracked tooth? Many people are unaware of how prevalent cracked teeth are, and they frequently go unreported until the damage is severe. So, let’s find out the causes of a cracked tooth, shall we?!
Causes of a Cracked Tooth
Here are a few things that may cause a cracked tooth:
Biting Hard Things
Tiny cracks in enamel are caused by chewing on hard sweets, ice, or unpopped popcorn kernels. Nutshells and olive pits in meals are examples of concealed dangers that might suddenly cause a tooth to shatter.
Teeth Grinding
Too much grinding or clenching, especially while you’re sleeping, erodes the structure of your teeth over time. Many patients don’t realize they grind until they start to become damaged.
Large or Antiquated Dental Work
Teeth with a lot of fillings are more likely to break since they have less natural structure left. Additionally, decaying, old fillings are unable to adequately maintain the integrity of teeth.
Temperature Extremes
Over time, stress fractures are caused by enamel expanding and contracting as a result of rapid temperature fluctuations, such as drinking coffee and then freezing water.
Natural Aging
While older fillings lose their protective properties, enamel deteriorates with age. In mature teeth, both variables greatly raise the chance of breakage.
Physical Trauma
Even biting down at an unusual angle or experiencing falls or sports-related accidents might provide enough abrupt force to break apparently healthy teeth.
Signs You Might Have a Cracked Tooth
Here are a few reasons why you might have a cracked tooth:
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods
- Severe pain when biting or releasing pressure
- Intermittent discomfort
- One tooth with swollen gums
- Having a “line” when you run your tongue over the tooth
Treatment Options for a Cracked Tooth
Your dentist may suggest the following treatment options for your cracked tooth:
Dental Bonding: Bonding uses tooth-colored resin to repair and restore the tooth’s look in cases of small surface fractures or craze lines. A common, fast fix for minor flaws.
Crowns for teeth: A crown covers the whole tooth when fissures weaken the structure but do not extend to the pulp. This restores complete function and guards against additional splitting.
Root Canal Therapy: Necessary when fractures expose nerves by spreading into the pulp chamber of the tooth. The tooth is sealed and usually capped for strengthening once the diseased tissue has been removed.
Tooth Extraction: Required for serious fractures behind the gum line or teeth that are vertically split. Infection is avoided via extraction, and the lost tooth can be replaced with bridges or implants.
Ending Note!
A cracked tooth may begin as a small irritation, but if it is not fixed, it may cause infection, excruciating pain, or even tooth loss. The sooner you take care of it, the more likely it is that the tooth will be saved.
Visit our expert dentist, Dr. Omad Chaudhary, FICOI, at Enhance Dental at Heritage to consult about a cracked tooth. With more than seven years of experience, you can rely on him to find the solution to all your troubles. Call us at (919) 569-5719 to connect with us.