Your teeth go through a lot in your lifetime. You chew with them, open packages with them (not recommended), and might grind them while you sleep. All these things can wear down your teeth and damage them. A cracked tooth is a common problem, but it can go unnoticed at times. Let’s find out about the layers of teeth and then get into the details of symptoms of a crack in your tooth.
Layers in Your Teeth
The enamel is one of the strongest substances in your body. It can withstand anything but acid, which can be produced by the combination of sugar, carbohydrate-rich foods (which also break down to sugar), and enzymes in your mouth.
The second layer is the dentin, which is nine times weaker than enamel. The dentin is made of minerals and tiny tubules. If your tooth decay gets to dentin, you need to treat it instantly because it may cause your core layer to decay.
The third layer is the pulp, which is the area in the center of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. If the decay gets to this layer, root canal or tooth extraction is the only option left for you.
Causes of a Cracked Tooth
There are many things that you do in your life that can lead to a cracked tooth.
You can crack your teeth if you chew on extremely hard foods like hard candies, nut, and ice. You may not know this, but changing your mouth’s temperature rapidly can also cause your teeth to crack. Some people also end up with cracked teeth after fistfights, falls, or from other accidents. Your teeth are more likely to start cracking when you get over the age of 50.
Symptoms of Cracked Teeth
You will not necessarily experience a symptom every time one of your teeth cracks. However, common symptoms that people experience could include:
· Swelling of your gums around the affected tooth.
· The crack tooth starts experiencing sensitivity towards hot, cold, and sweet foods.
· Sharp pain in your teeth while chewing and biting food, becoming sharper when you release.
· On and off pain in your tooth (it is very rare that the pain remains constant).
It is very common for people to experience cracked teeth, but you should try to avoid foods and situations that could cause your teeth to crack. It is highly recommended to get a dentist’s help as soon as you start experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above.
If you are dealing with a chipped or cracked tooth in Plano, TX, contact our dentist office today to schedule an appointment.