What Causes a Tooth to Crack?
Chewing on hard foods, such as candies, or even crunching on ice, can fracture a tooth. Stress-induced teeth grinding and jaw clenching can crack teeth as well. Less frequently, an accident or a blow to the jaw can also lead to a cracked tooth. In those cases, it’s usually a front tooth that’s affected. Additionally, just general wear and tear can cause a tooth to crack.
What Are the Signs That Your Tooth is Cracked?
It can be difficult to self diagnose because a hairline tooth fracture or crack can be so tiny, you will not be able to see it. Sometimes your dentist won’t even be able to diagnose it, even with an x-ray. However, there are some signs you can feel. If you experience pain when you bite into food or if your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, you may have a cracked tooth.
What Steps Should You Take
If you suspect you have a cracked tooth, make an appointment with your dental professional. Let the office know which tooth you suspect is cracked and if you have any symptoms. If it’s a front tooth, they may get want to get you in right away. If you are experiencing symptoms – pain with chewing or sensitivity to hot and cold, the sooner you get to your dentist, the better.
If you do indeed have a cracked tooth, these treatments may be needed. These include bonding, a crown, or even a root canal prior to restoring the tooth. Your dentist will determine which one is best for you. The location and severity of the crack will be a factor in that decision.
It can be difficult to know if you have a cracked tooth. Many times they go undetected until you experience pain or are sensitive to hot and cold. A cracked tooth may even go unnoticed until a routine dental appointment (another good reason to stay on schedule). If you have one, it is treatable, but the sooner you have it taken care of, the better.
