One of the most complex parts of your body is the enamel, the tough outer layer of your teeth. Since it has limitations, your teeth may break if they experience a hard blow or severe erosion. This could result in a rough tooth surface, making your smile look bad and calling for quick treatment. This blog has all the details on cracked teeth.
What Is A Cracked Tooth?
Although anyone can crack a tooth, children and the elderly are more prone to tooth fractures. When a crack develops in your tooth, it is known as a fractured tooth, also known as cracked tooth syndrome (CTS). Sometimes the crack will be little and perfectly harmless. Sometimes it can lead to a split or break in your teeth. Visit a dentist right away if you think you have a broken tooth.
How To Know If A Tooth Is Cracked?
Not all cracked teeth show symptoms. When they do, the following are the essential indications:
- A fluctuating pain, especially when chewing.
- Sensitivity to variations in temperature or consumption of sugary foods.
- A lot of inflammation close to the affected tooth.
- When biting or chewing, the tooth hurts.
What Are The Causes Of Cracked Teeth?
- Due to repeated stress and friction, chronic teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can result in damaged teeth. People may not be aware that they are grinding their teeth as they sleep, which can result in cracks in the teeth. These cracks may initially appear to be tiny stress fractures, but if the underlying cause is not addressed, they may grow larger and more painful.
- Cracks are much more likely to occur in weak teeth, which have seen prolonged wear, enamel erosion, or lost tooth structure due to massive fillings.
- A direct hit to the mouth can result in fractures, damaged teeth, and other severe oral injuries. These occur most frequently due to sports-related incidents, accidental falls, or car accidents.
- Hairline cracks can form when tooth enamel is quickly exposed to opposing temperature extremes, such as when you bite into an ice cube right after burning your tongue on a hot cup of tea.
- A lifetime of use results in weakened enamel and generally more vulnerable teeth. This explains why cracked teeth are more common in older people.
How Can A Dentist Repair Cracked Teeth?
- The crack is repaired and filled in using a particular dental resin during a dental bonding treatment. The main objective for individuals with a small crack is to fix it before it worsens because doing so helps the tooth’s general functionality return.
- For moderate cracks, your dental care professional will use dental crowns
- Two treatments are available when a tooth develops a significant crack: getting a root canal or having the tooth pulled from the mouth.
What Can You Do To Prevent Teeth From Getting Damaged And Cracked?
You can take steps to reduce your risk of developing a cracked tooth, even if you can’t completely rule out the possibility.
- Do not chew on hard objects like ice cubes or unpopped popcorn kernels. Avoid using your teeth as a tool, and never chew anything other than food, such as pens!
- Wearing a mouthguard can help lessen your teeth stress if you are prone to grinding or clenching your teeth at night. You should wear a face mask or mouthguard every time you play a sport.
- Maintain good dental hygiene by regularly brushing and flossing to prevent decay, making your teeth more prone to breaking.
You must visit your nearest dental office if you think you are suffering from a cracked tooth. We hope this blog helps you detect the condition and take better dental care if you suffer from a cracked tooth.