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Your tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body, built to take the pressure of everything you eat, and even stronger than your bones. Yet despite this, it can still develop cracks. And unlike bones, which can bind back together after a fracture, cracks in your teeth do not heal. Even worse, if left untreated, they can lead to severe infections that affect more than just your mouth.
What makes this all the more challenging is that a cracked tooth will not necessarily cause any symptoms. Many people have cracked teeth without even realizing it. Here’s a closer look at the signs you should watch for, to address this dental issue before it becomes something more serious.
A cracked tooth is simply a tooth with a fracture. That fracture may be small and limited to the outer enamel, or it may be deeper, extending through the chewing surface of the tooth and causing it to break apart entirely.
Fine Lines – These are tiny, shallow cracks on the outer tooth enamel. They are usually superficial and purely a cosmetic concern, more common in nature and generally not a health risk.
Fractured Cusp – This occurs when a portion of a tooth’s chewing surface breaks off due to underlying weakness or excessive force. It often happens around an existing filling or restoration, and since it does not affect the pulp, it may not cause any pain.
Cracked Tooth – It is a more serious crack that extends from the chewing surface downward toward the root. Treatment depends on how deep the crack has progressed.
Split Tooth – This occurs when a crack has progressed all the way from the tooth down to the root, dividing the tooth into two distinct segments. In most cases, extraction is the only viable long-term solution.
Vertical Root Fracture – These begin at the root and extend upward. They are difficult to detect as they show minimal symptoms, and are usually discovered only once the surrounding bone or gum has become infected.
While a cracked tooth can be difficult to diagnose with certainty at home, there are several key symptoms that should prompt you to book a dental appointment without delay.
Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth. Bruxism (tooth grinding) is one of the leading causes of cracked teeth. Many people are not even aware they grind during sleep. If you wake up with jaw pain or headaches, a custom-fitted night guard would be beneficial for you.
Avoid chewing on hard objects. Ice, popcorn kernels, hard sweets, pen lids, and fingernails all put your teeth at unnecessary risk. Treat your teeth with care.
Be cautious with temperature extremes. Repeatedly exposing teeth to extreme hot and cold, such as eating very hot food followed immediately by cold water, can cause micro-fractures in the enamel over time.
Wear a mouthguard during contact sports. A properly fitted sports guard protects your teeth from impact and trauma during activities like football, cricket, or boxing, helping prevent cracks and serious tooth damage.
Attend regular dental check-ups. Routine appointments allow our team to identify cracks early, sometimes before you have even noticed any symptoms.
If you have any of the symptoms described in this article and want the reassurance of knowing your teeth are in good health, we’d love to welcome you to one of our clinics.
At GM Dental and Implant Centre, we take pride in providing expert, compassionate dental care in a calm and friendly environment. We have clinics in Barnet (North London), Ashford (Kent), and Rochester (Kent) all easily accessible.
Visit us at www.gm-dental.co.uk to book your appointment today.
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* Smilevalley Limited trading as GM Dental and Implant Centre is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Smilevalley Limited is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated.
* G Mehta Ltd trading as GM Dental and Implant Centre Rochester is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Finance is arranged through Chrysalis Finance Limited. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated.
* GMValley Limited trading as GM Dental & Implant Ashford is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. GMValley Limited is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated.
