A broken tooth can occur with age because of decay, trauma or other causes. It may occur without symptoms, or it could be accompanied by pain and swelling. The position of the fracture, as well as how severe it is, will determine how best to treat it. If you suspect you have a dental emergency because of a broken tooth, please contact our emergency dentist immediately on: (07) 3185 2387. In this post, we are going to look at some of the most common broken teeth causes.
What Is A Broken Tooth?
A broken or fractured tooth can be a small, superficial crack, or it can cause the tooth to split or a piece to break off. Fractured teeth occur more commonly in children and older people, although it is possible for it to occur at any age. A very severe break can pose a dental emergency and should be referred to an emergency dentist as soon as possible
Broken Teeth Causes
The most common broken teeth causes include
Biting down on foods that are too hard
Biting on hard foods like candy and ice can cause a crack or fracture in a tooth.
Bad habits like biting nails or the ends of pens and pencils
Using your teeth as tools or biting on hard substances that are not food can cause a broken tooth.
Advanced age
A broken tooth is more common after the age of 50, but young children are also susceptible.
Grinding your teeth (bruxism)
Grinding your teeth in your sleep puts them under a lot of pressure. Sustained grinding can weaken your teeth, resulting in a break or fracture.
Having large restorations like fillings, or root canals
When you have a large restoration to repair a damaged or decayed tooth, your tooth structure may be weakened, making it easier to break.
Trauma to the mouth
Trauma, such as that sustained in falls, accidents, and blows to the mouth, can result in a break, fracture or cracked tooth.
A tooth that is weakened by tooth decay may be more susceptible to cracks and fractures.
When Is It A Dental Emergency?
Any crack, chip, or fracture to your teeth should be treated as a dental emergency and referred to an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
Cracks or fractures in your dental enamel create a weak spot that bacteria can penetrate, which can lead to infection.
Some of the signs that you need to see your emergency dentist right away include
- Pain, especially when chewing
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Swelling
- Bleeding from your mouth.
In some cases, an untreated broken tooth can lead to the development of a tooth abscess. If you notice any of these signs, please contact your emergency dentist immediately
- Persistent tooth pain that doesn’t respond to pain medication
- A fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Bad breath
To avoid complications, for help with broken teeth causes, or if you think you are experiencing a dental emergency, please contact us for an appointment as soon as possible: (07) 3185 2387.
REFERENCES
Fractured Tooth (Cracked Tooth)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21628-fractured-tooth-cracked-tooth
Cracked Tooth
https://www.healthline.com/health/cracked-tooth
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