Protect Teeth From Cracks

To protect teeth from cracks, avoid chewing hard foods, wear a mouthguard for sports and get help if you grind your teeth. Most cracked teeth are preventable. Here is what causes them, the warning signs and how they are treated.

A cracked tooth can be painful and inconvenient, and it can turn a small problem into a big repair. The good news is that avoiding one is not complicated. At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, Dr. Steven Haywood, DDS, sees cracked teeth often enough to know the usual culprits, and most of them are habits you can change.

What causes a cracked tooth

Enamel is the hardest substance in the body, but it is not unbreakable. Cracks usually come from one of these:

• Biting something hard. Ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, nut shells, olive pits and even a hard crust can crack a tooth in an instant.
• Grinding and clenching. Constant pressure, often at night, wears teeth down and creates tiny cracks that can grow.
• Large fillings. A tooth that is mostly filling has thin walls that can split under pressure.
• A blow to the mouth. Sports, falls and accidents can crack or chip teeth.
• Sudden temperature changes. Going from very hot food to ice water can stress enamel over time.
• An uneven bite. When some teeth take more force than others, those teeth are more likely to crack.
• Age. Cracks become more common as teeth accumulate years of wear.

Often it is a combination. A tooth weakened by an old filling and nightly grinding may finally crack on something as ordinary as a piece of toast. That is why prevention focuses on reducing every source of stress on your teeth, not just one.

How to protect your teeth from cracks

Do not chew hard things

This is the simplest rule and the most important one. Let ice melt instead of crunching it. Save hard candy for rare treats you let dissolve. Chew popcorn carefully and watch for unpopped kernels. Never use your teeth to open bottles, tear packages or crack nuts. Our article don't use your teeth as tools has more on this habit.

Wear a mouthguard for sports

Basketball, football, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, skateboarding and even recreational leagues all carry a risk of a hit to the face. A mouthguard cushions the blow and protects your teeth, lips and jaw. Store-bought guards are better than nothing. A custom-fitted guard from your dentist is more comfortable, which makes it more likely you will actually wear it.

Address grinding and clenching

Many people grind at night without knowing it. Signs include morning headaches, a sore jaw, flattened or chipped teeth and tooth sensitivity. A custom night guard places a protective layer between your upper and lower teeth while you sleep. Learn about NG bite guards and read do you grind your teeth while you sleep? If jaw pain or clicking is part of the picture, our TMJ and TMD treatment page explains the options. Stress plays a part for many people, so relaxation techniques can help too.

Keep your regular checkups

Your dentist can spot risks before a tooth breaks: an uneven bite, a large old filling, worn enamel or small craze lines. Catching those early means a simple fix instead of an emergency. Every cleaning at Southern York Smile Care is a full 60 minutes, which leaves time for a careful look. Learn more about our dental cleanings.

Strengthen weak teeth before they break

If a tooth has a very large filling or a root canal, a crown may be recommended to hold it together. It can feel strange to fix a tooth that does not hurt, but protecting it now can prevent a crack that reaches the root later.

Protect children's and teens' teeth

Kids are especially prone to chipped and cracked front teeth from falls, playground bumps and youth sports. Make a mouthguard part of the uniform for any contact sport, just like a helmet or shin guards. Teach children not to chew ice or pencils, and keep an eye out for grinding during sleep, which is common in younger children. If a child knocks out or breaks a tooth, keep any pieces in milk and call the office right away. Our children's dentistry page has more tips for protecting young smiles.

Signs you may have a cracked tooth

Cracks are not always easy to see, even on an X-ray. Watch for:

• Sharp pain when you bite down, especially when you release the bite.
• Pain that comes and goes rather than staying constant.
• Sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods.
• Swelling of the gum around one tooth.
• A rough edge your tongue keeps finding.

If you notice any of these, call the office. Chew on the other side, avoid very hot or cold foods, and do not wait for the pain to go away on its own. A crack can spread over time. If a tooth breaks suddenly or pain is severe, our emergency dental care page explains what to do.

How cracked teeth are treated

Treatment depends on the type of crack, where it is and how deep it goes. Dr. Haywood uses tools like an intraoral camera, digital X-rays with up to 90% less radiation and, when needed, the Green CT 3D cone beam scanner to see the tooth clearly.

• Craze lines. Tiny surface lines in enamel are common and often need no treatment.
• A chipped edge. Small chips can often be repaired with tooth-colored cosmetic bonding.
• A cracked tooth. A crown holds the tooth together and keeps the crack from spreading. Read dental crowns in Shrewsbury to learn more.
• A crack into the nerve. If the crack reaches the pulp, a root canal may be needed before the crown.
• A split tooth or vertical root fracture. When a tooth cannot be saved, it may need to be removed and replaced with a single-tooth implant or a bridge.

For front teeth, porcelain veneers or all-porcelain crowns can repair visible damage and restore a natural look. If you feel nervous about treatment, oral sedation is available.

Paying for repairs

Southern York Smile Care is out of network with every insurer. You pay at the visit, and the office files the claim for reimbursement. CareCredit and Cherry payment plans are available. Kelley Fisher, our Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, can help with questions. See our financing page.

Get a cracked tooth checked in Shrewsbury

The sooner a crack is found, the simpler the fix. Southern York Smile Care is at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury, PA, and serves York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD. Call (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment.

About the authorDr. Steven Haywood, DDS

DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.

Meet Dr. Haywood →