A cracked tooth can occur when you least expect it.
You can be out playing with friends, on a date, or eating a snack when suddenly you feel a sharp snap on your moth, or notice a small line on your tooth when you look in the mirror.
A cracked tooth can affect the mental health of most people if it is visible when you
The Types of Cracked Teeth
1) Craze lines
Craze lines occur when a crack occurs in the enamel but not the inner dentin layer.
You can easily restore these lines and your beautiful smile at a public or private dental facility (click here for a private dentist in Leeds).
2) Fractured cusp
When these corners of your teeth break, the pain response is minimal as the core of the tooth remains intact.
3) Cracked tooth
A cracked tooth occurs if the crack runs across the chewing surface.
4) Split tooth
Vertical cracks that go into the gum line can result in a split tooth, where a part of the tooth is lost.
5) Vertical root fracture
This type of fracture occurs below the gum line. This will require tooth extraction, which costs a lot of money.
Warning signs that you have a cracked tooth
- Intermittent pain when chewing or biting
- Sensitivity to hot or cold food and liquids
- Swelling of gums
If you have any of these symptoms or suspect your tooth is cracked, visit your dentist as soon as possible for advice.
Causes of Cracked Teeth
1) Bruxism
Bruxism occurs in people that constantly grind their teeth.
2) Tooth decay
Research has shown that unhealthy eating habits and improper tooth cleaning result in decay, which removes the protective enamel layer, weakening your teeth.
3) Gum disease
Gum disease is preventable and may result in bone loss, which can damage roots, and result in broken teeth.
4) Misaligned biting
If your teeth are not aligned when you bite down, your teeth will be weakened and worn.
5) Prior dental work
Fillings and other restoration work may give you your smile back, but it does not restore the strength in your tooth, causing it to weaken and crack.
6) Accidents
An impact on your jaw or face can result in a cracked tooth.
7) Biting on hard objects
If you purposely or accidentally bite down on a hard object or food item, a vulnerable tooth will crack.
8) Age
Just like people, teeth weaken with age, meaning older adults are more likely to have cracked teeth.
How to Treat a Cracked Tooth
Unlike broken bones, your teeth will never quite heal completely and will require assistance from a dentist. Here are some options to treat a broken and get back your smile.
1) Skipping the treatment
Small cracks that are painless and do not influence your sense of self-confidence will not require medical treatment – however, a dentist is best to determine if you need to gain access to any medical services.
2) Mouthguards
Sleeping with a mouthguard can protect the teeth of people with bruxism.
3) Bonding
Bonding fills a crack with a plastic resin and can restore the look and functionality of a tooth.
4) Veneers
If your superficial cracks are impacting your smile, then getting a veneer on the surface of your tooth is the perfect solution.
5) Fillings
Cracks can be repaired by replacing a filling.
5) Crowns
A crown is a cap that is placed on a tooth to restore its functionality. It is used for significant cracks.
6) Root Canal
Root canals are required if the crack has entered the tooth’s pulp. It is performed by a dentist or oral surgeon and removes the pulp to restore the tooth.
7) Extraction
Extracting a tooth may be required with significant cracks or breaks.
Conclusion
It can be easy to keep the cracks out of your smile. Early diagnosis and detection of a crack tooth can save you from paying the price later down the line.
