If you have ever experienced a “cracked tooth,” it may cause pain or if small enough you may not even notice it. However, if you do have pain often times it can be felt when chewing or when eating or drinking hot or cold food or drink. If a crack becomes deep enough, reaching the root of the tooth, this can potentially negatively impact the mouth and it would be necessary to have it evaluated by a dental professional as soon as possible.
Why would I have a cracked tooth?
Cracked teeth can occur for several different reasons, such as:
- Continuously chewing on hard foods like ice, nuts or hard candies
- Grinding your teeth, which commonly appears more frequent at night
- Clenching your teeth, which can sometimes occur more at night
- Uneven chewing pressure or a misaligned bite
- Loss of a filling or other tooth restoration
- An injury to a tooth
- Poor dental hygiene can make you more vulnerable causing a chip or crack
- Compromised tooth enamel
- Cavities have the potential to weaken the teeth and cause a chip, which could eventually lead to a larger crack if not fixed
Cracked Teeth and Cavities:
While cracked teeth may be a result of a cavity, if you do have a cracked tooth this does not necessarily mean you also have a cavity. If you think you might have a cavity or a cracked tooth, it would be beneficial to receive an evaluation from a dental professional. They are equipped with the proper knowledge and tools to test for a proper diagnosis of the teeth. If a cracked tooth is identified, it is possible that treatment may be needed depending on the severity of the crack.
Treatments of Cracked Teeth:
If treatment of a cracked tooth is needed, you may need anywhere from just a simple bonding procedure to a root canal. For severely cracked teeth, an extraction may be appropriate. Regardless of treatment, the dentist will make sure that you are informed of the situation and receive the best level of care.
To prevent cracked teeth in the future, it can help to wear a night guard at bedtime. If you realize that you may be grinding or clenching your teeth, it would be beneficial to visit with a dentist to discuss night guard options. Additionally, you can help prevent cracked teeth by sticking to a regular oral hygiene routine, eating soft foods and visiting the dentist every six months for check ups. Regular dental visits can help to notice warning signs of the teeth early on preventing you from any unwanted dental issues. You may want to look for soft foods and/or less hard candy at your local Garner, NC grocery store. There will be a new Lidl grocery store opening where the old Kroger store used to be on Highway 70. You should have no problems finding soft(er) foods at Lidl.
For more information or any questions…
Moore Family Dentistry, located in Garner, NC is a wonderful location to those in the Raleigh area. Dr. Moore is a family dentist who is extremely passionate about communicating with his patients. Dr. Moore and his staff would love you further assist you in answering any questions or provide further information regarding cracked teeth and cavities.
Please contact Moore Family Dentistry at your earliest convenience!
