Teeth can become cracked for a variety of reasons. If this ever occurs to any of your teeth, seeking treatment for cracked teeth as soon as possible is essential. The sooner you receive treatment, the better your odds of minimizing long-term damage.
However, it’s not always obvious when a tooth is cracked. Signs that a tooth may be cracked include the following:
Pain When Chewing or Biting
You may naturally experience some degree of pain or discomfort if a tooth is cracked. Your pain will likely be particularly noticeable when chewing or biting with the affected tooth.
Such pain could be a sign of several potential issues. A cracked tooth is just one possible explanation. Regardless, if you experience dental pain of any kind, seeing a professional right away is important. A dentist can diagnose the issue and provide the necessary treatment.
Swelling
Swelling of the gums and tissues around a tooth is another potential sign of a cracked tooth. As with the above point, if you notice any gum swelling, the wisest step to take next is to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Sensitivity
Another common sign of a dental issue that likely requires treatment is sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. Pay attention to how your teeth feel when consuming particularly hot or cold beverages or foods (such as coffee, tea, iced beverages, etc.), and see a dentist if any appear to be sensitive to extreme temperature changes.
Do Some Teeth Fracture More Easily Than Others?
Certain teeth are more prone to fracturing than other teeth. Specifically, a person’s upper front teeth and lower back teeth are usually most likely to fracture. That said, any tooth can become cracked.
Risk Factors for Tooth Cracks
Various risk factors can increase one’s chances of sustaining tooth fractures. They include the following:
- Age: A person’s teeth can fracture at any age. However, cracked teeth tend to be more common in patients over the age of 50 years.
- Diet: One of the most common causes of tooth fractures is biting into hard foods. Thus, some people may be more prone to dental fractures than others because of their diets.
- Lifestyle: Lifestyle factors can play a role in one’s chances of cracking their teeth. For example, someone may be more likely than others to sustain dental fractures if they play contact sports or engage in other such physically dangerous activities.
- Habits: Habits such as teeth grinding can damage one’s teeth and make them prone to fracturing.
In addition, sometimes major dental work (such as a root canal) can weaken a tooth and increase its odds of cracking in the future. Keep this in mind whenever you experience symptoms that might indicate a dental or oral health problem. Seeking care early may prevent a small issue from developing into the kind of problem that requires more significant treatment.
Learn More About Treatment for Cracked Teeth in Edmond, OK
At Contemporary Endodontics of Oklahoma, our team is prepared to offer the treatment you need when a tooth is cracked. Find out more about how we can help by contacting us online or calling us at 405-285-5042 to request an appointment.