There is a condition that dentists call "cracked tooth syndrome," and this condition affects a lot of adults. When a person has this condition, it simply means that he or she has cracks on their teeth. These cracks are very small, though, and they are not typically risky to live with; however, they can lead to problems. Here are a few important things to know if you have or suspect that you have cracked tooth syndrome.
What causes these cracks?
Developing small cracks in your teeth is quite common for many people, especially adults, and this is something that happens from eating hard foods or from grinding your teeth. It can also occur from trauma to the face if it is strong enough to impact the teeth. Small cracks also tend to appear on weakened teeth more so than strong teeth. A tooth is weakened when it contains a filling or has undergone a root canal. These small cracks are often so small that a dentist cannot even see them on X-rays.
How can you tell if you have this condition?
One of the main ways a dentist can tell if you have cracked teeth syndrome is by asking you about your symptoms. People who have this syndrome often have sensitive teeth, yet the dentist cannot find a cause for this. Another symptom you might have is pain when you bite down with a specific tooth. If you have any of these symptoms, your dentist will try to determine the cause of the symptoms. If the dentist cannot find any cause for them, he or she might rub a dental tool across your teeth to feel for cracks. This is the most common way dentists diagnose cracked teeth syndrome.
When should you seek treatment for the cracks?
If the cracks are so small that you cannot see them, and if they are not bothering you a lot, then you really do not need any form of treatment for them. If the cracks grow larger to where you can see them, or if they begin causing severe pain in your teeth, you should consider seeking treatment for them. Dentists can treat cracked teeth in multiple ways, including placing composite resin fillings over them or putting crowns on your affected teeth.
It is quite normal to have small cracks on your teeth, but you might need to have your teeth examined if they begin bothering you a lot. To learn more about this syndrome, contact a dental clinic that offers family dentist services.
Share5 September 2018
Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.