Enamel is one of the most important parts of your teeth. It is the outer layer that acts as a protective coating, shielding the sensitive core from bacteria. Damage to enamel can lead to painful conditions that require an urgent visit to the dentist.
In addition to cavities, cracks in tooth enamel are a common problem. If left untreated, they can lead to tooth damage and cause long-term discomfort.
How to Prevent Cracks in Enamel
Cracks in tooth enamel are a disruption of the tooth’s integrity under the influence of several causes, which over time can lead to splitting.
Cracks in enamel resemble tiny dark threads. Frequent consumption of colored foods and drinks, such as tea or coffee, makes the damage even more noticeable, so they often become more visible with age. Although cracks generally do not affect the dentin tissue, this problem should not be ignored.
Splits that start with minor damage to the upper layer can deepen. This can have serious consequences, even leading to complete tooth loss.
Also, enamel damage can cause bacteria to multiply. Moreover, since enamel protects the crown from damage and other factors, when its integrity is compromised, even the smallest mechanical impact can cause pain.
What Causes Tooth Cracks?
Although enamel is considered the strongest tissue in the human body, it can be destroyed by mechanical impact. This is how cracks in tooth enamel appear. The most common causes of tooth cracks include:
• sudden changes in food temperature;
• bruxism;
• excessive mechanical pressure while chewing;
• presence of cavities;
• trauma to the maxillofacial area;
• extreme temperature fluctuations;
• nutrient deficiency affecting bone tissue formation;
• natural predisposition;
• smoking;
• alcohol abuse;
• malocclusion;
• use of toothpicks;
• the habit of chewing hard objects;
• excessive consumption of fruit juices, carbonated drinks containing acids that can damage enamel;
• overuse of whitening toothpastes containing abrasive ingredients.
Cracks are often the result of a combination of these factors. Genetic and hereditary conditions can also affect the state of enamel.
Symptoms
Cracks in teeth can manifest with various symptoms. Often at first they are barely noticeable, but over time they become more apparent. They may also vary depending on the size and location of the crack.
Some of the most common symptoms associated with tooth cracks include:
- Pain during chewing or biting: one of the characteristic symptoms is sharp pain when pressure is applied to the tooth while chewing. The pain is often inconsistent — it may occur only when biting or as a reaction to certain foods, especially sweet or acidic.
- Tooth sensitivity: cracks can expose the dentin layer, causing increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks. Sensitivity may persist even after consuming these products.
- Unexplained toothache: you may feel periodic pain that appears and disappears without a clear cause. This pain can be difficult to localize, or it may radiate to surrounding teeth or the jaw.
- Swelling of gums around the affected tooth: a crack may irritate the pulp or allow bacteria to penetrate, potentially leading to inflammation or swelling near the crack area.
- Visible crack or line on the tooth: in some cases, especially in more advanced ones, a crack can be seen on the tooth’s surface. However, many cracks are microscopic and visible only with dental imaging or special lighting.
- Change in tooth color: a cracked tooth may appear darker than the surrounding teeth, especially if the crack has affected the pulp.
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Restoration of the Tooth Surface
The main problem with horizontal microcracks on tooth surfaces is that over time the defect worsens, and the split can even appear on the tooth root. When this happens, saving the tooth is almost impossible, and extraction may be the only available solution. For this reason, prompt elimination of enamel cracks is key.
1.Diagnosis of tooth cracks. Sometimes patients easily identify tooth cracks. Others may feel discomfort in the area but cannot determine the root cause. To find a crack on the tooth surface, the dentist will perform a visual examination and ask about symptoms. However, they are often not visible. The doctor uses a special lamp that emits ultraviolet light to immediately detect any microcracks on anterior or molar teeth. A special dye is also used to determine the type and location of the defect. It is applied to the crown’s surface. When enamel is damaged, the pigment is instantly absorbed and colored, allowing the dentist to determine the extent of the damage.
2. Determining the type of tooth cracks. Depending on their development and location, there are different methods for treating tooth cracks.
Defects are divided into different types:
• cracks on anterior teeth;
• molar damage;
• cracks near the root of the damaged tooth.
In addition, by appearance they can be classified as:
• vertical cracks on the tooth surface;
• horizontal cracks in any teeth;
• diagonal fractures and damage.
Cracks can also vary in depth. Therapy methods differ depending on the type of damage, location, and specifics of development.
If cracks in enamel have already formed, do not delay your visit to the dentist. After examining the oral cavity, the specialist will give treatment recommendations. Dentistry has developed a number of procedures to address this problem, including remineralization. With this procedure, enamel is enriched with beneficial microelements and restored to its natural protective qualities. After treatment, the teeth can be covered with a special strengthening varnish.
However, depending on the type of crack, this procedure may look different.
Professional cleaning is performed for minor damage invisible to the naked eye; soft compounds without abrasive materials are used to avoid additional crown surface damage. During cleaning, food particles and bacteria are removed from hard-to-reach areas, and antiseptic materials are applied to prevent cavities in the crack. Fluoride varnish can be applied to small horizontal cracks that have been smoothed.
When a horizontal crack is clearly visible to the naked eye, simple smoothing of the tooth surface is not enough. In these cases, the dentist must remove the damaged tissue and restore the tooth with high-quality filling material that mimics natural enamel.
Tooth restoration becomes much more complicated if the fracture extends from crown to root. In some cases, extraction may be necessary. If a tooth has a deep horizontal fracture, part of the crown may break off. Fortunately, thanks to modern advanced restoration methods and early detection, the tooth structure can often be fully restored.
If the enamel on a front tooth is cracked, and it is not only a physical but also an aesthetic problem, dentists recommend veneers to carefully conceal the cracks. After therapy and placement of restorative overlays, hygiene care does not differ from usual procedures.
How to Prevent Tooth Cracks
It is easier to prevent enamel cracks than to treat them. Enamel wear is often a consequence of poor oral hygiene. Therefore, maintaining proper oral hygiene is fundamental to avoiding these problems.
Here are some recommendations to prevent cracks in tooth enamel:
• brush teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day;
• avoid using whitening toothpastes, as they may cause enamel wear;
• carefully choose a toothbrush: toothbrushes with soft bristles protect enamel better;
• choose dental floss instead of wooden toothpicks — floss is gentler on enamel and much more effective at cleaning hard-to-reach areas;
• visit a dental office for a routine check-up at least once a year.
The Importance of Immediate Treatment for Cracked Teeth
If a cracked tooth is left untreated, its condition may worsen over time, leading to serious complications such as infection, abscess formation, the need for root canal treatment, or even tooth extraction. To prevent these consequences, it is essential to quickly assess the condition of the tooth and begin treatment.
Discomfort while chewing, sensitivity to temperature, or tooth discoloration can be early signs of pulp damage. Root canal treatment may become necessary, so do not wait until the pain intensifies.
Seek help from a trusted dentist as soon as possible. Although enamel is one of the hardest substances in your body, it is still vulnerable to damage caused by poor eating habits, teeth grinding, or untreated cavities. Over time, these small cracks can deepen, leading to both cosmetic and functional problems. Protecting your enamel is vital — it serves as the first line of defense for your tooth.
If you suspect you have a cracked tooth, contact YAREMA DENTAL clinic. We will identify the root of the problem and provide prompt treatment before the condition worsens.