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Although our teeth are resilient, they are not impervious to damage. Factors such as chewing hard foods and age-related changes in the mouth can lead to cracked or fractured teeth. This condition, known as a cracked tooth or cracked tooth syndrome (CTS), occurs when a crack develops in a tooth. Some cracks may be minor and pose no threat, while others can cause the tooth to split or break. In this post, we will examine the causes of cracked and fractured teeth and discuss prevention and treatment options.
What causes teeth to crack
Anyone can crack a tooth, but tooth fractures are most common in children and older adults. Teeth can crack due to a variety of causes, including:
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Types of Cracked Teeth
There are different types of tooth fractures, and they are differentiated by where they occur on the tooth. Cracks can appear as:
Cracks That Extend Into the Gum Line
Some teeth have vertical cracks extending through them that haven't reached the gum line. While these teeth are generally salvageable, they may need to be extracted if the crack extends to the gum line. The most likely chance at saving the tooth is to get treatment early.
Vertical Root Fracture
This type of crack starts below the gum line and makes its way upward. While it often doesn't produce many symptoms, chances are the tooth will have to be extracted. Infection is possible.
Fractured Cusp
This type of crack typically occurs around a dental filling and doesn't usually impact the tooth pulp (the soft center of the tooth that contains blood vessels, connective tissue and nerves). Therefore, it does not usually cause much pain.
Craze Lines
These tiny hairline cracks in the enamel (the tooth's strong outer covering( cause no pain and don't need to be treated.
Split Tooth
This crack extends from a tooth's surface to below the gum line, and can be separated into two segments. While it's unlikely the tooth can be saved with such an extensive crack, your dentist may be able to save part of the tooth.
What are symptoms of a cracked tooth?
While not every cracked tooth will lead to symptoms, when symptoms do occur, they are often as follows:
Swollen gums around the affected tooth
Pain when biting or chewing, espe Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
Blows to the mouth from falls, sports injuries, fistfights, or car accidents
Biting or chewing hard foods like candy, nuts, or ice
Pressure from teeth grinding
Sudden temperature changes in the mouth, such as eating something hot then drinking ice water
Fillings that weaken the tooth's integrity
Age (most tooth fractures occur in people over 50)
cially when you release a bite
Sensitivity to sweetness, hot or cold temperatures
Intermittent pain
How are cracked or fractured teeth diagnosed?
Not everyone with a cracked tooth will display typical symptoms. To help diagnose a cracked tooth, your dentist will likely:
Inquire about your dental history, such as whether you eat a lot of hard foods or grind your teeth
Visually examine your tooth (your dentist may use a magnifying lens to spot tiny cracks)
Feel for the crack using a dental explorer, running it around a tooth to determine whether it it will "catch" on an edge
Use a dental dye to make cracks stand out
Look closely at your gums for inflammation - especially helpful when looking for vertical cracks, which can cause gum irritation
X-ray your teeth, which won't necessarily reveal the crack but can highlight poor pulp health, which can point to a crack being present
How is a cracked tooth treated?
When a tooth cracks or breaks, it can be quite painful. But even if you're not experiencing any pain, it's best to go to a dental office as soon as possible so one of our dentists in Edmonton can help prevent or reduce pain. They may also be able to help you avoid infection of the tooth's inner pulp or tooth decay.
Not having these problems treated early will only cause them to worsen. Most of the time, broken teeth can be repaired by:
Reattaching the broken piece of tooth
Placing a crown over the fractured tooth
Performing a root canal
Performing an extraction (if the nerves and root of the tooth are severely damaged)
Sometimes, a dentist may recommend not repairing a broken tooth at all, particularly if the fracture does not cause pain, impact your appearance or extend very deep or far into the tooth or gum.
How can I prevent a cracked or fractured tooth?
While not every tooth fracture can be prevented, you can reduce the risk of one occurring by avoiding chewing ice or hard foods, taking good care of your teeth and gums, and wearing a mouth guard to avoid teeth grinding at night or when you play sports.
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