A cracked tooth is a broken tooth. Cracks can be fine lines, minor chips or fractures which can run from the top of the biting surface of the tooth down towards the root of your tooth.
If you think you might have a cracked tooth and you’re looking for an emergency dentist in Croydon, keep reading! In this blog, we’ll explore the causes and types of a cracked tooth, and how to contact Mayfield Dental, your trusted 24-hour Croydon dentist, for a quick and comfortable solution.
Common Causes of a Cracked Tooth
The most common causes of a cracked tooth are:
- Tooth decay – when bacteria attacks tooth enamel causing holes (cavities)
- Teeth grinding causing a lot of pressure
- Large fillings and old amalgam silver fillings which no longer support the tooth
- Biting and chewing on hard food like bones, fruits stones, pizza crusts, popcorn, ice and nuts
- Trauma – blows to the face causing damage
- Ageing – with age, people are more prone to cracked teeth
- Changes in temperature in the mouth – e.g. eating something hot and then drinking ice water
The symptoms of a cracked tooth can be difficult to recognise, but most people experience discomfort when biting on something or experiencing temperature changes like drinking hot or cold drinks. Molars (larger teeth) are more prone to cracks because they ‘’do the most hard work’’ whilst chewing. Usually, pain from a cracked tooth is not consistent like the pain experienced when there is a hole in the tooth (cavity). However, solutions for a cracked tooth with a private Croydon dentist are designed to improve the overall comfort and aesthetic of the tooth.
Types of a Cracked Tooth
There are various types of tooth cracks which can affect the teeth in different ways:
- Fine lines on the enamel of the tooth which do not cause any pain and do not usually need treatment.
- Minor chips may not need a lot of treatment – if the chip is small the dentist may be able to polish and smooth the tooth down.
- Fractures usually happen adjacent to a filling, and it is often recommended to renew the filling or place a crown on the tooth to give the tooth better support.
- Vertical cracks that haven’t yet reached the root may be salvable, but if the crack goes deep into the tooth, extraction may be the only option.
Cracks are not always visible to the eye, especially if it is under the gum line, but if causing pain, our trusted West Wickham and Shirley emergency dentists are able to investigate further to identify the problem before it worsens. It is important to note that cracks are not always picked up on routine X-rays.
If the crack has affected the nerve within the tooth, root canal treatment may be recommended, followed by a filling or a crown. Root canal may not always solve tooth symptoms, then leaving the only option of extraction. Cracks will never fully heal but treatment suggested may prolong the life of the tooth for many years to come.
You can never fully prevent teeth from cracking, but you can try taking some precautions, such as:
- Wear a mouth guard if you grind your teeth (especially at night).
- Avoid biting on and chewing hard food (nuts, bones, crackling, pizza crusts, popcorn kernels).
- Strong teeth are less prone to crack so take care of your oral hygiene – brush twice a day, floss daily and visit your local Croydon dentist for regular check-ups, hygiene cleans and fluoride applications as recommend by your dentist.
- If recommended by the dentist use Duraphat toothpaste to strengthen your teeth by obtaining daily extra fluoride.
If you think you may have a cracked tooth and need seeing as soon as possible, give us a call at Mayfield Dental on 0208 657 1291 or 07891 578648.
