THE CARE BEHIND A HEALTHY SMILE
TREATMENT OF CRACKED TEETH
- Holly Watson
5.0
Watford Dental Office provides endodontic treatments for cracked teeth. Cracked and fractured teeth are a common dental problem and can occur for a variety of reasons. For more information on cracked teeth in Watford, ON, and to schedule your appointment with one of our dentists, please call our office today at (519) 876-2403.
Cracked and fractured teeth are common dental problems. Cracked teeth can occur as a result of trauma, grinding and clenching of teeth (bruxism), and biting on hard objects, among other things. You may not initially feel any discomfort when the enamel of your tooth is cracked, due to the absence of strain and pressure on the cracked tooth. However, as you continue biting and using the tooth, the crack will widen, exposing the pulp and inner tissues of the tooth, which in turn leads to irritation, and eventually to infection.
Why Cracked Teeth Hurt
When the outer hard tissues of the tooth are cracked, chewing can cause movement of the pieces, and the pulp becomes irritated. When biting pressure is released, the crack can close quickly, resulting in a momentary, sharp pain. Irritation of the dental pulp can be repeated many times by chewing.
Eventually, the pulp will become damaged to the point where it can no longer heal itself. The tooth will not only hurt during chewing but may also become sensitive to extreme temperatures. In time, a cracked tooth may begin to hurt all by itself. Extensive cracks will lead to infection of the pulp tissue, even spreading to the bone and gum tissue that surround the tooth.
Preventing Cracked Teeth
While cracked teeth are not completely preventable, you can take some steps to make your teeth less susceptible to cracks.
- Don't chew on hard objects such as ice, unpopped popcorn kernels, or pens.
- Don't clench or grind your teeth.
- Wear a mouthguard or protective mask when playing contact sports.
