There are a lot of different things that can damage your teeth, and these things can damage teeth in many ways – from stains caused by food, to cracks or fractures caused by impact or injury. We know that coffee can make our teeth look dingy, and we know that opening bottles with our teeth could break our teeth. Sometimes, however, the cause of damage isn’t as clear. If one of your teeth has cracked or if a piece has fractured off the tooth, and you aren’t sure why or what you should do, read on. You have options, and there’s a good chance there’s a remedy that will work for you.
The majority of cracked teeth are caused by:
- Biting hard foods
- Biting or habitually chewing non-food items
- Using the teeth as tools
- Large or invasive dental treatments, when not repaired with a crown
- Bruxism
- Injury
- Age
Unfortunately, our teeth become more fragile on the edges as we age, wearing down from use. This increases the risk of breaking a tooth, and older people should be especially conscientious about behaviors and choices that can damage their teeth. Even with care, however, it’s not impossible for older people to fracture or chip a tooth with no clear cause, due simply to wear. Anyone, no matter how young or old, could break a tooth while they’re eating something hard, like unpopped popcorn, or chewing on ice or hard candy. Habits like chewing pens or opening bottles or boxes with your teeth can also damage the teeth in a number of different ways, and patients who chronically grind their teeth or clench their jaws, a condition known as bruxism, face a greater risk of fractured teeth. These behavioral, external causes can be managed in a variety of ways, either with behavior modification or, in cases of bruxism, with a night guard that protects your teeth while you sleep.
As mentioned earlier, as we age, our teeth become more fragile. This can be managed, to an extent, by maintaining good oral hygiene and a healthy, balanced diet, though there’s only so much we can do against natural wear and tear. If you have a larger dental restoration, like a sizable filling or root canal, a crown can help protect your newly fragile tooth from breaking, though you’ll still need to treat the crown gently. Of course, you can also crack your tooth in case of an impact or accident. We often can’t control accidents, and if you break a tooth in an accident or fall, or sustain any other injury, see your doctor immediately. If you play contact sports, make sure to wear a mouth guard. If a piece of your tooth broke off and it’s big enough that you notice it, especially if you’re in pain, call your dentist right away. Try to save the piece of tooth in a small dish with milk in it, and take it with you to the dentist. Not every cracked tooth needs urgent treatment, though; if you see surface cracks on your teeth, ask your dentist about them at your next appointment. Pay attention to your teeth, and help them support you through a lifetime full of confident smiles.