What Causes Tooth Fracture?

Tooth fracture is one of the dangers that can cause major problems for oral health. Even if the enamel covering the teeth is the hardest tissue in the body, various factors such as falling, getting hit in the face or biting something hard, especially tooth decay, can cause the tooth to break. If a tooth fracture is detected, immediate treatment is very important in terms of saving that tooth. The technique to be applied in the treatment of a broken tooth varies depending on the damage to the tooth.

Fractured tooth syndrome, also known as fractured tooth syndrome, refers to a crack or fracture in the tooth. In some cases, the cracks are small and harmless, while in other cases they can cause the tooth to break down and impair various functions in the mouth. 
Tooth fracture can occur due to many different factors and leads to loss of integrity in the tooth structure. Patients usually consult a dentist when they feel a cavity in the mouth. Tooth fractures are most common in children and the elderly, but it should be recognized that anyone can break a tooth.

Why Tooth Fracture Happens

There are many causes of tooth fracture. A decay that starts from the deep tissues of the tooth becomes visible when the enamel layer is broken. Since the decay may have deepened by the time the tooth is broken, having a dentist check at regular intervals before the tooth fracture occurs allows the decay to be treated without deepening.
Apart from this, teeth may fracture as a result of any impact on the tooth. Fractures that occur in teeth due to sports injuries, car accidents or falls should be followed up. Apart from this, damage to the root of the tooth is not recognized at first and this causes deterioration in the nutrition of the tooth and loss of tooth vitality. 
Teeth fracture can occur due to clenching. Teeth clenching transmits intense pressure to the jaw joint, many muscles and tooth surfaces. As a result of the pressure transmitted to the tooth surface; wear, cracks and fractures are seen on the teeth. Fractures can also occur when hard foods and nuts are consumed. 
Advancing age can be shown among the causes of tooth fractures. Because tooth fractures occur more in individuals aged 50 and over. In addition to situations such as chewing gum, chewing ice, large dental fillings that cause tooth weakening are also among the causes of tooth fracture.

What are the Symptoms of a Broken Tooth?

People usually feel tooth fractures by seeing the loss of tooth integrity if the broken tooth is in the front part, or by a difference on the tongue surface in the mouth if it is in the back part. In addition, pain sensation especially during chewing, sensitivity when hot and cold foods and sweet foods are consumed, and swelling around the tooth are also among the symptoms of tooth fracture.

What's Good for Broken Tooth Pain?

Treatment of broken teeth usually requires a consultation with an orthodontist. In the run-up to the dental check-up, there are some techniques that can help to reduce the symptoms. Cold compresses with ice to prevent swelling and the rapid development of infection, rinsing the mouth with salt water to ensure dental and oral hygiene are among the easy but effective methods that can be done at home.

How to diagnose a broken tooth

The presence of a broken tooth in the mouth is determined by physical examination and X-rays. It is common to inquire about the situation in which the possible tooth fracture occurred, what was done before the feeling of fracture, and the presence of a previous dental treatment. A history of trauma or accidents are also problems that should not be ignored. Problems with teeth grinding or jaw clenching during sleep or wakefulness, ice chewing or chewing gum habits in general can be a guide to diagnosis.

How to treat a broken tooth

The technique to be used in the treatment of a fractured tooth depends on the damage to the tooth. These treatments include bonding, cosmetic shaping, crowns, tooth extraction, root canal treatment and veneers.Treatment of tooth fracture can generally be applied with fillings or crowns depending on the proportion of healthy tooth tissue left behind. For fractures due to decay, it is necessary to remove the decay tissue before restorations are performed.

What are the Complications of a Broken Tooth?

The most important complication of cracked and broken teeth is an infection that can spread to bone and soft tissues.Symptoms of dental infections are as follows; 

• Fever (high fever)
• Pain when chewing or biting
• Swollen or reddened gums
• Intense sensitivity to cold and heat
• Neck tenderness
• Foul odor in the mouth

The abscess that usually develops in tooth infection is drained by the dental specialist and antibiotics are prescribed if necessary.

Can Tooth Fracture Be Prevented?

To prevent tooth fracture, it is necessary to avoid habits that lead to tooth fractures.

• Consumption of hard foods
• Not breaking crusted foods with teeth
• Paying attention to oral hygiene
• In the case of bruxism or during sports, the use of mouth guards or mouth trays is one of the measures that can be applied.

Despite these precautions, tooth fracture or cracking may not be clearly prevented. Finding the underlying cause of tooth fractures that occur without any factor can be provided by a specialist control. Along with being cautious, it is recommended to get support from a health institution and undergo a detailed examination when symptoms are noticed.