Why did a piece of my tooth break off?

Why Did a Piece of My Tooth Break Off?
A broken tooth can happen at any age to anyone, or if you suffer from grinding or clenching your teeth, experienced some trauma, or another cause. You might not have any immediate symptoms of a damaged tooth that you can identify. Or you could have some pain, some sensitivity, or even swelling. Your dentist will treat your broken tooth with the necessary solution, depending on the severity and the location in your mouth.
A cracked or fractured tooth is when a crack appears. The crack might be small and harmless. Or it could cause an entire piece of your tooth to completely break off.
Tooth fractures occur more often in both smaller children and older people, yet anyone can crack a tooth. If you think you might have a broken tooth, call your dentist to schedule an appointment.
What Parts of a Tooth can Crack?
Every tooth consists of two parts:
* The crown which is the part visible above your gums.
* The anchoring roots which is the part below your gums.
Every tooth also consists of three layers:
* Enamel: The white, hard, protective outer surface.
* Dentin: The second layer of the tooth, under the enamel.
* Pulp: The soft living tissue at the center that contains blood vessels and nerves.
A fractured or broken tooth can affect just one or all three layers. The proper treatment for the broken tooth depends on where the fracture is on the tooth and the severity of the damage.
A broken tooth can be sensitive and quite painful, even though some fractures cause so few symptoms. Seeing your dentist for a timely evaluation increases your chances of maintaining and restoring a broken tooth.
Common Causes for a Fractured, Cracked, or Broken Tooth
Frequent causes of tooth fractures are:
* Trauma or an accident, including a fall, a sports injury, or a bike or car accident.
* Bruxism, which is teeth grinding or clenching.
* Unhealthy habits, like using your teeth as a tool or chewing ice.
* Biting on hard foods, such as candy or popcorn.
* A large dental filling or a root canal, which will weaken the tooth.
* Your age, with more tooth cracks happening at age 50 and older.
Cracks, fractures, and breaks happen more frequently with your upper front teeth. Most often you can fracture one tooth, but the increased trauma can result in damaging multiple teeth. If you have any cavities, you have a higher risk of a tooth breaking off.
The Most Common Signs and Symptoms of a Cracked, Fractured, or Broken Tooth
A cracked tooth is very often not immediately evident. When it becomes noticeable, the symptoms include:
* A throbbing toothache as you bite.
* An increase in discomfort or pain, especially while chewing.
* Swelling and tenderness of the gums around the tooth.
* An increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
When The Damage with a Tooth Progresses
A cracked or broken tooth can quickly lead to an infection, or even a tooth abscess. Schedule an appointment with your dentist if you notice one of these symptoms:
* Constant tooth discomfort or pain.
* Tender or swollen gums.
* Sensitivity to temperature changes.
* Bad breath, or halitosis.
* A fever.
* Swollen lymph nodes.
The Broken Tooth Restoration Procedure
Repairing a broken tooth might take just one visit or several depending on the required treatment. Your dentist will propose the proper treatment once the severity is identified. For example:
* Dental bonding- Completed in one hour.
* A dental crown- Properly fitted in two appointments.
* An extraction- The extraction is immediate, but your replacement solution will take longer.
* Veneers- It can take several weeks to create custom veneers.