4 of the Most Common Causes of Tooth Breaks
Having a tooth break is one of the scariest dental emergencies a person can experience. While the cause is sometimes obvious, such as breaks caused by an immediate trauma, it is not always easy to know what a tooth breaks. In many cases, a crack could have been there for years without a patient realizing it.
If you have damaged a tooth and want to know why, read on to learn about four of the most common reasons. Then reach out to California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 and let us help you get back to your best smile again.
- Dental work you had in the past
- Past tooth trauma
- You may be grinding your teeth
- Mixing hot and cold
Yes, it is possible that past dental work could cause breaks in your teeth today. One common example is a metal filling. While they used to be the standard substance for fillings, they would expand and contract as time went on. Even temperature changes could affect these fillings. Over time, this makes the tooth more vulnerable. This is one reason that your dentist may suggest replacing older metal fillings with amalgam fillings.
It is entirely possible that you had a trauma to your tooth in the past and it is only breaking now. Being hit in the teeth could have weakened them and weeks, months, or even years later the tooth could finally break. It is also possible that you could have been hit in the teeth hard enough that your teeth have slightly shifted, which would make them more likely to break.
Do you grind your teeth? If you said yes then you likely already know that this is called bruxism and that it can cause teeth to break. If you said that you do not grind your teeth, then we encourage you to think again. It is common for a person to grind their teeth without even realizing it. When they do, they are wearing down the enamel and this can leave the softer, weaker part of the tooth exposed. In time, it can result in tooth breakage.
Have you ever experienced a glass breaking when it was hot and you added a cold liquid? If you did, then consider this happening with your teeth. It’s true that a very sudden change in temperature can put pressure on the tooth and cause it to break. If you drink a hot cup of coffee and then switch to a very cold glass of water, it is not likely to instantly cause a problem but doing it regularly can cause an issue over time.
If you are worried about the state of your teeth and want to find ways to ensure they are unlikely to break then we encourage you to contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 for a dental exam and cleaning.
