Understanding the rise of cracked teeth
As people are retaining their natural teeth for longer durations, cracked and fractured teeth are increasingly common dental problems. There are multiple factors contributing to tooth cracks, including biting on hard substances, experiencing physical injury, or engaging in teeth grinding and clenching. These habits exert additional pressure on the teeth, rendering them more vulnerable to cracks.
Cracked tooth enamel can result in temporary, intense pain. Yet, when the crack is not under pressure, there may be no discomfort. However, using the cracked tooth for biting can widen the crack, exposing the sensitive inner parts of the tooth and causing painful irritation. Once the pressure is relieved, the crack can fuse back together, alleviating the pain. However, if left untreated, the pulp can suffer irreversible damage, leading to persistent pain. Additionally, this can lead to a pulp infection that affects the surrounding bone and soft tissue.
Possible symptoms of a cracked tooth can include:
- Experiencing pain while eating without any clear explanation.
- Being sensitive to both warm and cold foods
- Unexplained pain
- Having trouble identifying the exact location of the pain.
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