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“Is a cracked tooth dangerous and will it heal on its own?” This is a question that many people wonder when they see their teeth have cracks without knowing the cause. So what is the cause of this condition? how to treat? All will be answered in this article.
1. Causes of cracked teeth
There are many causes of cracked teeth, longitudinal cracks, cracked roots, cracked front teeth,... Here are the main causes:
Cracked teeth due to impact: This is the main cause longitudinal fracture of the tooth. You may have accidentally fallen and hit your teeth with hard objects. If the force is too strong, the tooth may break in half or split into two separate parts. Due to bad habits: The seemingly simple daily habits cause serious problems such as cracked teeth, even affecting the jawbone. Daily habits including chewing ice, using teeth to open beer caps, biting crab claws, eating unusually hot and cold foods, etc. will weaken teeth, over time, the roots will age prematurely, leading to premature aging. broken roots and possibly tooth loss. Other causes: Cracked teeth can occur in cases such as grinding teeth too much at night, root canal treatment, weak enamel, dental caries, etc. At that time, the teeth are weak, so they are easily broken and cracked. than normal healthy teeth.
2. Classification of tooth cracks
There are many causes that cause teeth to crack, so the location and degree of cracking are also different:
Tooth vertical crack : is a crack that runs from the chewing surface of the tooth down to the root of the tooth. Sometimes it is below the gum line and in the root of the tooth. A cracked tooth does not split in two, but the soft tissue inside is often damaged.
Scratch lines: These are very small cracks that affect only the outside of the enamel layer. They usually appear on adult teeth and are not painful. These scratches do not require treatment.
Crack at the top of the tooth: This top is located on the biting surface of the tooth, if this tip is damaged, the tooth will be easily broken. You will be in pain when you bite.
Cleft teeth : This is often the result of not treating the cracked tooth. The tooth is split into two parts. Vertical fissures are those that start at the root of the tooth and work its way up to the bite surface.
3. Recognize when a tooth is cracked?
Signs are difficult to recognize and symptoms are diverse. You may occasionally experience pain when chewing, especially when releasing bite force. Heat can be irritating to teeth especially when it's cold. Or you could be sensitive to sweeteners without showing any signs of tooth decay. The swelling may be limited to a small area near the affected tooth.
If the pain is severe, take the pain relief but remember to consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication.
4. Can cracked teeth heal on their own?
Do cracked teeth heal on their own? The teeth do not have the ability to heal themselves like wounds in the skin, bones, etc. So a cracked tooth will not be able to heal as the original.
Cracked teeth do not heal on their own, causing many effects in your daily life:
Teeth are sensitive for a long time Teeth become weaker as the cracks get bigger and bigger. Large cracks can expose dentin and pulp, causing pain and discomfort. The gap will create conditions for bacteria to enter the tooth pulp, causing complications of tooth infection. In more severe cases, it can affect blood vessels and bones, causing many dangerous complications. Therefore, timely treatment with appropriate methods at the dentist to avoid unwanted problems.
5. Is cracked teeth dangerous?
After the problem of cracked teeth, whether or not the cracked tooth will heal on its own, the consequences of cracked teeth cause many people concern. But first you need to know what types of cracks can be encountered:
Teeth with longitudinal cracks: teeth are cracked along the bite line to the gums, it will often cause inflammation Transverse cracks in the front teeth. : Teeth are often cracked across the body and then lead to chipping and chipping Teeth cracked roots: This crack cannot be seen with the naked eye because it occurs under the gum. It can only be felt by the symptoms of sensitivity, pain when chewing. Split teeth: This is a consequence of the tooth being cracked along untreated time, making the crack bigger and bigger. teeth are broken in two Teeth have cracks due to many fillings: this crack is usually a longitudinal crack of the crown but it does not cause an infection because usually the tooth that has been filled with a filling has taken the pulp When the tooth is cracked it cannot be With treatment, the crack will grow larger and cause dangerous complications for health. Prolonged sensitivity, weakening teeth The dentin and pulp are exposed, making it impossible to eat comfortably. Bacteria following the crack attack the tooth pulp, causing caries, pulpitis Bacteria attack the wires The nerve underneath the tooth root causes infection, fever, swollen gums, bad breath, ... At this time, you should not worry about the problem of cracked teeth that can heal on their own, but should find a way to crack teeth. what?
6. How to treat cracked teeth?
When you visit the dentist, you will be advised of appropriate treatment methods. In case the tooth is slightly cracked and does not affect the aesthetics and chewing process, the doctor will probably advise you to take care of your teeth and not need the impact of dental measures. But you will have to regularly monitor the condition of the cracked tooth so that it can be treated promptly if it progresses.
But if the crack is large enough to cause pain and interfere with daily activities, the doctor will prescribe a method suitable for the degree of fracture, as well as the location and symptoms of your teeth.
Dental filling
This method fills the crack with composite or porcelain material with the ability to fill and restore its appearance and chewing function.
To perform fillings, the doctor will clean your teeth, shape the sealant and harden it with a specialized laser. This technique is quite simple, so the process of restoring teeth will take place quickly and effectively.
Porcelain crown
This is a very popular method in dentistry to help restore perfectly cracked teeth.
When performing porcelain crowns, the doctor will grind down the enamel on the outside of the cracked tooth to make room for the porcelain crown to cover the outside of the real tooth. Porcelain teeth are designed according to the shape of real teeth to ensure aesthetics and the ability to feel food like real.
In case the tooth is broken to the pulp, the doctor will have to remove the damaged pulp before proceeding with porcelain crowns to prevent tooth infection.
Extraction
The doctor will appoint a tooth extraction if the tooth is severely damaged to the pulp and nerves. Then the tooth cannot be restored and the extraction will help avoid inflammation and not harm the remaining teeth.
At the same time, to prevent complications of tooth loss, you should implant dental implants to restore aesthetics and chewing function. At that time, the problem of bone loss due to tooth loss will also be completely prevented.
7. How to prevent cracked teeth?
Cracking teeth is not completely preventable, but here are some ways to prevent it:
Wear a mouth guard if you grind your teeth while sleeping, or playing sports Avoid biting and chewing on hard objects Dental examination Periodic dentist to monitor the condition of your teeth
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