Cracked Teeth in Houston TX
Our teeth have been designed to endure a lifetime. However, as people live longer, their teeth are exposed to more things, increasing the possibilities of them wearing down or breaking. We routinely save natural teeth that have cracked at Southwest Endodontics, but many of our patients have no idea how the damage occurred in the first place. We feel that prevention is vital, so let’s take a closer look at what causes a fractured tooth and how your Southwest Endodontics dentists may treat it once it occurs.
WHAT CAUSES A TEETH TO CRACK?
Despite the fact that tooth enamel is the toughest element in our bodies, repeated pressure — such as jaw clenching, tooth grinding, or biting on ice or other hard materials – weakens enamel and can lead to cracks in the teeth.
You may notice pain when chewing or sensitivity to heat and cold if your tooth is damaged. A broken tooth, on the other hand, may show no signs or symptoms at all. If you see a break in your tooth, you should seek treatment right once.
The reason behind a chipped tooth
A tooth may shatter or chip if you’ve struck your face, fallen on it, used your teeth to rip open packaging (dental professionals advise against doing this, but many of us still do it), or even if you’ve bitten down on something very hard.
CRACKED TEETH AND HOW SOUTHWEST ENDODONTICS CARES FOR IT
When you visit Southwest Endodontics for cracked tooth repair, we’ll first inspect the tooth to determine the type of crack and then assess the severity of the damage. Your dentist’s approach to recovering your cracked tooth will depend on whether you have a fractured cusp, a split tooth, or a vertical root fracture.
A root canal is frequently performed to restore the tooth’s normal function and avoid future breaks. Your Southwest Endodontics may recommend endodontic surgery if a piece of the tooth needs to be removed in order to save the rest of the natural tooth.
BROKEN TOOTH CAN BE AVOIDED
The greatest method to keep your smile in good shape is to take precautions to avoid damaged teeth in the first place. These are some of them:
- When playing sports, it’s a good idea to wear a mouth guard.
- You’re looking for a way to stop grinding your teeth at night (bruxism)
- Chewing on ice or other hard items should be avoided.
- Never use your teeth to open a package.
Practicing regular dental hygiene can help you keep your teeth healthy (including twice annual visits to the dentist)
