Generally, teeth are quite durable, designed to hold up to daily crunching, biting, and chewing of all kinds of solid foods. Sometimes, however, a one-off incident like a fall or blow to the mouth – or a chronic condition like nighttime teeth grinding – can generate enough force that a tooth becomes cracked or fractured.
People with a history of tooth decay, large dental fillings, and root canal treatment may also be more susceptible to a fracture.1 Want to learn how to avoid a cracked tooth? Read on for some of the most common causes.
Do you think you may already have a cracked tooth? Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Common causes of a cracked tooth
A cracked tooth can be the result of many possible incidents. In some cases, you may have little idea what caused the fracture, especially if it happens overnight as a result of teeth grinding (bruxism) or if it forms gradually over time. The following are the most common causes of a cracked tooth:
A cracked tooth is something dentists encounter regularly. If diagnosed early, then the problem can usually be solved with a straightforward dental or endodontic procedure. To prevent cracked teeth, be cautious when eating hard foods and chew slowly. If you grind your teeth, ask your dentist about a nighttime mouth guard for protection. If you play contact sports, wear a mouthguard. Take care of your enamel by avoiding sugary soft drinks and highly acidic foods and beverages – the stronger your enamel, the less prone your teeth will be to fractures. Get regular dental check-ups to make sure any potential problems are caught early on.
If you are experiencing pain on biting or chewing or increased sensitivity to temperature, you may have a cracked tooth. Do not ignore it. Make an appointment with your dentist to have the tooth evaluated and avoid further complications.4
Additional resources
Looking for more information? Brush up on dental care basics.
Have a cracked tooth? Protect Your Smile. Find a dentist.
Sources
1Cracked Teeth. Retrieved from http://www.columbiaendodontists.com/endodontics-procedures/cracked-teeth.html
2Stein, M. (28 April, 2016). Causes of Brittle and Fragile Teeth: Why Do My Teeth Keep Breaking? Retrieved from http://robertghale.com/2016/04/28/causes-of-brittle-and-fragile-teeth-why-do-my-teeth-keep-breaking/
3Friedman, M. (2018, January 17). Teeth and Aging: How Your Mouth Changes As You Get Older. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/teeth-gums-age#1.
4Do you have a cracked tooth? (2003). The Journal of the American Dental Association, 134(4), 531. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2003.0205