What ends a good day really fast?

Any time you bite down on something hard or chewy and you feel a POP in your mouth.

You stop chewing and start searching your mouth with your tongue for something hard. There it is. You pull it out.  And what do you find? There’s a chunk of tooth.

While it’s not the end of the world, it can ruin an otherwise good day.

Thinking back, you remember your dentist telling you there were several teeth showing signs of wear resulting in cracking on your back teeth. He even suggested to proactively take care of them before something happens.

The teeth didn’t hurt at the time, so you decided to go about your life as usual. And wouldn’t you know it, something happens. Now you HAVE to have it taken care of.

According to recent studies, 70% of Americans have at least one cracked tooth. The risk of you being part of that 70% increases with age.

Everyone is at some risk if they have any of the following factors:

• Clenching and grinding – Common, uncontrollable habits while we sleep. Triggers include stress and sleep apnea.
• Large silver/mercury fillings – These are older type fillings using materials that expand and contract with temperature change and notorious for causing cracks.Pain when biting – This is the #1 symptom indicating a crack. It is best to have it evaluated as soon as possible.
• Chipped/worn teeth – Teeth that are showing signs of wear are obviously taking on more stress. They tend to have a high probability of cracking.
• Trauma – Any type of trauma to your mouth that could impact your teeth have the potential to cause cracks. It’s best to have post-trauma evaluation of your teeth.
• Diet/Habit – Biting into or chewing anything hard like ice, hard candy, nuts, fingernails, or using your teeth to open things are all bad for your teeth.

Based on this list, it’s obvious why the probability of having a cracked tooth is 70%!

It’s also why most dentists will recommend a proactive treatment even when a patient is not in pain.

When caught early a cracked tooth can most often be fixed or saved. If the crack is small and shallow, a bond resin filling may be all that is needed to repair the tooth.

More often, a protective crown is the ideal treatment to help reinforce, strengthen and protect a tooth against further damage. It also allows for full functionality and looks good too!

If your dentist has suggested proactive treatment for a cracked tooth it is best to follow the advice, especially if you intend to keep your natural teeth for a lifetime.

At Meadowmont Dentistry we prefer to be proactive in order to help you avoid the unexpected tooth problem. With patients we discuss all we find from every examination so you can make the best determination for you.  We offer a complimentary evaluation for anyone needing or wanting to improve their dental health.