Investigating The Causes of Cracked Teeth

Your teeth are made up of the hardest substance in your entire body. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean your teeth are invincible. Cracked teeth are a common dental problem and can be caused by a variety of factors, including the following:

Biting down on something too hard: In some cases, patients can crack a tooth from trying to bite into something too hard. Avoid chomping ice, opening bottles with your mouth and crunching hard candy.

Teeth grinding habit: Teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching can put you at a much greater risk for cracked teeth. The teeth gradually weaken over time and eventually crack under the extra pressure. Teeth grinding is often accompanied by jaw discomfort as well.

Improper bite: It is possible that a misaligned bite can put unnecessary pressures on certain teeth or an area of a tooth that is not equipped to handle the strain. This can lead to small cracks in the tooth or teeth. In some cases, this is a sign of cracked tooth syndrome.

Tooth fractures, even tiny hairline cracks, always need repair. When your tooth structure is damaged, the health of your tooth is compromised and subject to further damage. Fractures can affect the outer layer of your tooth (enamel), the dentin layer or the inner pulp of your tooth. The severity and location of the crack will determine your treatment options.

At Salt Run Dental, we are equipped to repair all types of tooth cracks. We offer dental bonding, enamel reshaping, dental crowns and porcelain veneers. It is important to note that not all tooth cracks are visible or detectable without an x-ray. This makes it imperative to visit us for your routine dental exams every six months. Cracks below the gum line are especially hard to detect and may require an extraction if not treated promptly.

If you feel pain or discomfort when you bite down or chew, don’t ignore it. Although you may not see any visible damage, you may need cracked tooth repair!