It can result from chewing hard foods or grinding teeth at night and even occurs naturally as you age. It is a common condition and the leading cause of tooth loss.
Causes:
● Stress and anxiety leading to more people, grinding their teeth.
● Chewing or biting hard foods such as nuts and candy.
● A blow to the mouth might happen with an accident, sporting injury, or even fistfight.
● Age factor-Mostly teeth cracks occur in people above 50 years of age.
● Fillings that are so large might weaken the integrity of the tooth.
Symptoms:
- Pain on chewing or biting.
- Sensitivity to heat or cold.
- Pain that is usually coming and goes, but is rarely continuous.
- Swelling of gum around the affected tooth.
Treatment:
It depends on the size of the crack, and where it is located, and whether the crack extends to the gum line. Depending on those factors, your dentist recommends some of the following procedures
1)Tooth bonding:
If the crack is too small, your doctor uses a composite resin to fill the crack, to restore its look and function.
2)Crowns:
If the crack only involves the tooth outer structure and not involving the pulp, your dentist will advise the crown to replace the tooth structure. Crown is a prosthetic device usually made of porcelain or ceramic. To fit the crown, your dentist removes some enamel from your teeth to make room for the crown in your mouth
3)Root canal:
If the crack is so deep and it extends into the pulp, your dentist will recommend a Root canal to remove damaged pulp and restore the tooth. This procedure can prevent the tooth from becoming infected. After the root canal treatment, the Crown is placed to replace the tooth structure.
4)Extraction:
If the structure of the tooth and the roots that lie below it are severely fractured and damaged, removing the tooth is the only option.
Self-care and Prevention:
● Avoid chewing hard food.
● Wear a mouth guard if you play a contact sport, and use one while you sleep, if you have the habit of grinding your teeth.
● Brush twice daily and visit your dentist once every six months for preventive care.
