Teeth crack primarily due to three main reasons: teeth grinding, injury, and aging.
Understanding Why Teeth Crack
A cracked tooth can cause pain, swelling, and sensitivity to temperature changes. Here's a breakdown of why these cracks occur:
Reasons for Cracked Teeth
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Teeth Grinding | Forceful clenching or grinding, often during sleep, puts excessive pressure on teeth, leading to cracks. |
| Injury | A direct blow to the mouth or a fall can cause a tooth to fracture. |
| Aging | As we get older, our teeth naturally weaken and become more susceptible to cracking. |
Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth
- Pain when chewing or biting
- Swelling in the gum area
- Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Pain that comes and goes, not constant
Treatment for Cracked Teeth
Dentists have various ways to treat a cracked tooth, depending on the severity of the crack. Here are some potential solutions:
- Bonding: Applying a composite resin to fill the crack and restore the tooth's shape.
- Crown: Covering the entire tooth with a custom-made crown to provide support and protection.
- Root Canal: If the crack extends into the pulp of the tooth, a root canal may be necessary.
- Extraction: In cases where the tooth is severely damaged beyond repair, extraction may be the best course of action.
