HOW SERIOUS IS CRACKED TOOTH

How Serious Is Cracked Tooth?

If you have a tooth that has been fractured, you may be wondering how serious the condition is.

Below is helpful information about cracked teeth, including the causes, how serious they are, treatment, and prevention.

The Causes of Cracked Teeth

There are a few main contributors to cracked teeth. These include:

• Biting hard foods
• Trauma
• Teeth grinding and clenching
• Chewing on hard items
• Age

How Serious Is a Cracked Tooth?

A cracked tooth can be anywhere from a minor inconvenience to a serious oral health concern. Below are some of the treatments for a cracked tooth, and what stage of severity they are performed:

• Bonding: Dental bonding is an option for those with very minor cracks. Often, this tooth-colored resin is used for cosmetic repairs.
• Veneer: Dental veneers are a step up from dental bonding and are often used to address intermediate damage to a tooth. If the fracture is a little more severe, a dental veneer may be placed.
• Dental crown: A dental crown is for severe damage to a tooth. With a dental crown, the entire crown of a patient’s tooth is replaced. This isn’t taken lightly by a dentist and is reserved for fractures that have severely compromised the tooth.
• Extraction: if a tooth fracture is severe enough, your dentist may opt to extract the tooth completely. This is generally a last resort, as your dentist prefers for you to keep as much of your natural tooth as possible. If you address a cracked tooth early enough, this step can often be avoided. If your tooth is extraction, your dentist may consider a dental implant.

Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth

It’s important to look out for the symptoms of a cracked tooth to make sure you get treatment as soon as possible. Some symptoms of a cracked tooth include:

• Consistent pain in the tooth
• Sensitivity
• Pain when biting and chewing
• Swelling

While these are common symptoms of cracked teeth, they also may be indicators of other oral health conditions. Make sure you schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you notice these symptoms.

How to Prevent a Cracked Tooth

In order to prevent a cracked tooth, make sure you visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. This will help to ensure your teeth stay strong and healthy. You also need to brush your teeth twice a day, floss, and rinse.

Teeth fractures can occur when chewing on hard objects, so avoid chewing on ice, popcorn kernels, pen caps, hard candy, and anything else that can damage your teeth. You’ll also want to wear a mouth guard while playing any contact sports to ensure the safety of your teeth.

Contact Us

If you have a visibly cracked tooth or you suspect your tooth has been fractured, reach out today. We will set an appointment to take a look at your tooth to determine the root cause. From there, a treatment plan will be put in place to meet your oral health needs.

Remember, the sooner you address the issue, the better.

Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth