Everyone can eventually have a cracked tooth. Every day, our teeth are exposed to different forms of aggression: cold, heat, sugar, acidity, etc. They are constantly being tested. Teeth that have been restored by a gray or white filling are more fragile than healthy teeth and are therefore at greater risk of cracking with time and use. There are ways to prevent a tooth from cracking or at least slow it down. This is the reason for this article.
Why Can Teeth Crack Over Time?
Teeth can be damaged mainly by two things:
- From an invasion of bacteria (for lack of brushing for example)
- From pressure and shock
When the tooth is weakened, it can crack as a result of a bad angle while chewing or simply because it is overworking.
The risk of a tooth cracking can also be increased by certain factors:
- A malocclusion or dental crowding
- A dental trauma (an accident or shock)
- An unhealthy lifestyle (poor diet, lack of sleep and stress)
- Medical history or intense medical drug treatment
- Bruxism (grinding your teeth while sleeping)
- Old fillings or bulky restorations
How to Recognize a Cracked Tooth?
Sometimes a cracked tooth isn’t hard to recognize as it will be painful. But many times, it can happen that teeth crack without being noticed, like a crack in a windshield. By the time the tooth cracks deeper, chewing suddenly becomes painful. The fracture expands as one chews, and the pain becomes more and more recognizable, or the cracked tooth piece separates completely.
The pain temporarily disappears when the pressure on the tooth stops but will reappear when the tooth is working or being touched. The enamel deteriorates little by little and can gradually go towards the pulp (nerve of the tooth) if the tooth is not treated. If it reaches the nerve, a pulpal infection can occur and affect the soft and bony tissues of the tooth.
In summary, one can recognize a cracked tooth with these symptoms:
- The tooth cannot stand hot or cold temperatures
- You experience sudden, unexplained pain while eating
- The source of the pain is difficult to discern
You may also have dental cracks without symptoms, here are the elements that can increase your risk:
Bruxism, parafunction (grinding or clenching of teeth)
- Grey fillings
- Voluminous composite restoration (white filling)
- Malocclusion (alignment or teeth interlocking in a non-optimal way, would need orthodontics or braces)
- Cracked Tooth: Preventive Measures
We can prevent a cracked tooth by protecting it from its main aggressors: shock and bacteria. In practice, you can:
Stop abusing your teeth. It is best to use your teeth only for chewing. Some habits are to be avoided, namely:
- Biting your nails
- Opening packages with your teeth
- Pulling objects with teeth
- Holding objects between your teeth
Wearing a Customized And Adapted Mouth Guard During Sports Activities
Some activities such as boxing, hockey or football require you to wear a mouthguard.
Controlling Teeth Grinding
Bruxism is a bad habit to control. Unfortunately, some people automatically grind while sleeping. These people are advised to wear an occlusal plate to distribute the bruxism’s strength over the entire dentition.
Correcting Your Bite
Malocclusion can damage teeth due to the poor distribution of chewing strength. This instability is corrected by means of an equilibration of the occlusion or with orthodontics (braces or invisible Invisalign® aligners).
Using the Right Dental Material
A tooth filled with a material that is too soft or too hard can crack easily. The use of a quality material adapted to each surface for the repair of a damaged tooth can preserve it over time.
Regularly Consult Your Dentist
A patient should consult his dentist at least twice a year. Descaling is also done at least every 6 months. Your dentist will take advantage of his dental exam to identify diseased or fragile teeth. A cracked tooth diagnosed early will be easier to treat.
In Conclusion
Since our childhood, our teeth have been undergoing various aggressions without us noticing. We only realize a damaged tooth when it becomes painful. Unfortunately, these irritations are often bad omens. To prevent a cracked tooth, you have to take care of your teeth regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day and visiting your dentist at least twice a year is part of it. The dentist can then prevent the appearance of a fracture earlier and limit the treatment. The dental team can inform you of your particular situation so that you can make an informed choice for the treatment of your affected tooth. Here are some options that could be offered depending on your situation: restore the tooth with a crown, proceed with a root canal treatment if the nerve has been reached and a crown to make the tooth more sturdy or, unfortunately, the extraction if it is the only way available. In summary, your dentist is best to advise you on your oral health.
Dentistes REMA will welcome you and gladly accompany you in your dental assessment by establishing the best diagnosis related to your condition.