Cracked Teeth: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
With people living longer and more stressful lives, we see cracked teeth more and more often at our dental office. Yet cracked teeth can be difficult to detect for a number of reasons. The most common reason is that the pain often comes and goes. Because of the short periods of erratic pain, it can be difficult to discern which tooth is the culprit.
Is a Cracked Tooth Literally “Cracked”?
A cracked tooth is simply a tooth that has a crack or fracture running along the length of the tooth. Older teeth, or teeth that are otherwise compromised, are usually susceptible to cracking. In particular, teeth with fillings have a tendency to crack because they are already weakened from the filling itself.
How Does It Happen?
One cause of cracked teeth is eating hard foods, especially hard candies. Biting down on hard foods puts undue stress on your teeth, eventually causing a crack to form. Often times, clenching or grinding teeth at night can cause cracks. Finally, old amalgam fillings can also cause cracks. The metal expands and contracts at a different rate than our teeth and overtime causes cracks in the teeth.
Why It Needs To Be Fixed
When the outside of a tooth cracks, it causes the inside of the tooth, or pulp, to become irritated. Because pulp is comprised of tissue that includes blood vessels and nerves, this irritation generally leads to pain and discomfort. Biting pressure that is quickly released can also cause a pinching of the pulp which results in a quick, sharp pain. Over time, more irritation to the pulp can lead to infection of the tissue with even larger problems in store.
It is important to know the signs of a cracked tooth so that you can catch it early, before significant damage occurs. If you feel a sharp pain when you bite down on a hard food, or have sensitivity when your tooth is exposed to heat or cold, then chances are you may have a cracked tooth.
Although cracks might only cause minor discomfort to begin with, it is still a good idea to have your dentist check things out. Depending on the size and location of the crack, your dentist will determine the best course of action. Cracked teeth are often fixed with a filling or a crown which helps ensure the tooth is solid. In the case of a more serious crack, your dentist might recommend a root canal or having the tooth extracted – but this usually depends on the depth of the crack. Acting early can help you avoid larger problems down the road.
Please contact Adams and Cheek Dentistry at 919.866.1360 or click here if you would like us to evaluate a possible cracked tooth.