What are cracks?
A crack, also known as a fracture, is a vertical or horizontal line(s) in your teeth, above and below the gum line. Cracks can be visible or invisible to you.
Causes
There are several reasons for cracked teeth: large fillings and other dental work, root canals, posts, excessive bite pressure from tooth grinding or clenching, temperature changes, trauma, and many lost teeth. Also, some sonic tooth brushes and alcohol mouthwashes can lead to cracked teeth.
Why is it dangerous to your mouth?
Small cracks can leak harmful bacteria and acids. This leakage can spread to the bones around your teeth thereby causing mouth infections. Larger cracks can cause gum recession and bone loss, for gums cannot adhere to a crack.
Why is it dangerous to your body?
Cracks can leak the dangerous bacteria through your bloodstream and contribute to:
- 75% increased chance of heart attack
- 63% increased chance of pancreatic cancer
- 50% increased chance of stroke
- Diabetes
- Respiratory diseases that affect breathing
- Loss of vision, toes, sinus problems, and feeling exhausted
- Beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss
What can be done to treat cracks?
Implement the home care instructions written by Dr. Kravitz in Dirty Mouth. Receive detailed cleanings with a registered dental hygienist. More extensive cracks can be treated with fillings, inlays, onlays, veneers, crowns, bridges, dentures, extraction and dental implants.
[box type=”note”]If you have any questions about cracks in your teeth, let us know and we’ll help.
Be well,
Dr. Joe Kravitz, DDS, MS
Prosthodontist, Author & Speaker
