About eight out of every 10 adults over age 40 have a crack in at least one tooth, making cracked teeth a lot more common than many people believe. And, while most of us think of cracked teeth in terms of very large cracks, many cracks can be quite small — so small that it can be tempting to ignore them.
The problem is, even the tiniest cracks are plenty big for even tinier germs to get in. And that means if you delay care, you could wind up with a much more serious — and more painful — problem on your hand.
If you have a cracked tooth, the team at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City wants you to know why prompt treatment is so important for your oral health. In this post, learn what symptoms to look for and why early care is essential.
One reason why cracked teeth are so common is probably because so many things can lead to a crack. Most people think cracked teeth are caused by direct impacts to the face, like being hit by a ball, or from biting on a very hard object. But cracks can happen for other reasons, too, like a grinding or clenching habit, or simply from years of tooth wear-and-tear. Teeth with large fillings are prone to cracking, and poor oral hygiene can contribute, too.
Larger cracks are often associated with tooth pain or gum swelling, especially once germs reach the interior pulp part of the tooth. Small cracks may cause very few symptoms and some may cause no symptoms at all. Minor discomfort, quick “twinges” of pain, or excess sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures are all possible clues to watch out for.
Even a very tiny crack allows bacteria to get inside the tooth where it can cause infection and decay. If a crack leads to the central pulp part of the tooth, that decay and infection can travel down the inner canal, eventually reaching the root and compromising the tooth structure.
Severe infections, like abscesses, can spread to the jawbone or your bloodstream, where the germs can be carried to other parts of your body. The best ways to prevent all these problems are to practice good oral hygiene and to seek treatment at the first sign of symptoms.
Our team is skilled in treating cracks of all sizes. The treatment we recommend for you will be based on a thorough evaluation of your teeth and gums, along with a review of your symptoms.
Some smaller cracks may be treated with a filling and a crown. The crown surrounds the tooth to protect it from germs, restore the tooth structure, and provide additional strength to avoid future problems.
If the infection has reached the pulp part of the tooth, you’ll probably need a root canal in addition to your crown. Root canal treatment uses special techniques to remove the damaged interior pulp part of the tooth. The canals are sealed and filled before the crown is finally applied.
Sometimes, though, a crack is so large, the tooth cannot be saved. That’s true of cracks that extend below the gum line and into the tooth root, as well. In these instances, the tooth needs to be extracted and replaced with an implant, denture, or bridge.
If you have a cracked tooth or if you have symptoms of a cracked tooth, early evaluation and treatment are essential for preventing more serious problems. To learn more about cracked teeth and how we treat them, call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC today.
