You know that you can break your tooth as a result of an accident, but what happens when your tooth seems to break out of the blue? The fact is that your tooth didn’t break for no reason; it has been experiencing decay slowly over time. The decay has compromised the strength of your enamel, and instead of the cavity leaving a noticeable hole in your tooth, it has spread like a vein. Here are some of the usual causes your tooth can break, outside of a traumatic event.
The most common underlying cause is tooth decay or dental caries. Brushing your teeth removes the bacteria buildup from the surface of your teeth, but when the bacteria are not removed completely, they can form plaque. Additionally, the bacteria release acid that can weaken your tooth enamel. The plaque creates patches of enamel that are less resilient, making it easier for a piece of the tooth to break off even with moderate pressure from chewing. A sudden fracture, for example, is usually due to damage that has been building up for months or years.
Another common reason why your tooth might break is a change to your bite where your teeth meet from restorations like fillings and crowns. The way the pressure is distributed across your teeth when you bite down changes. The load distribution may cause your tooth to chip off at the edge when there is not sufficient tooth structure remaining. Small cracks may develop and then expand until they compromise the tooth.
If you suffer from bruxism or teeth clenching and grinding, then you are creating extra pressure and wear on your teeth. Many people who have this issue grind their teeth while they sleep without the sufferer being aware or having the ability to stop. Repeated pressure might erode enamel and cause microfractures. Eventually, a piece of the tooth will break off during routine activities, like eating or brushing your teeth.
Dietary factors can cause your enamel to wear down, too. Consuming many acidic beverages, like soda or foods like citrus, softens the enamel and makes it more susceptible to wear. When your enamel is thinner, your inner soft layer of dentin is closer to the surface of your tooth and more exposed to abrasion. It is easier for your weakened tooth to chip or fracture when you are chewing your food, even if your food is not hard or crunchy.
As you get older, your enamel will get thinner over time from years of normal wear and tear. Your worn teeth are more easily cracked or susceptible to microfractures. These cracks, combined with other factors like teeth grinding or using your teeth as tools, can predispose your teeth to future breaks. It may not happen the first time you chew on ice or open a nut shell with your teeth, but after years of habits like that, your teeth are not as resilient and fracture with seemingly little effort.
If you have more questions about broken teeth or how addressing them could help you achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see your treatment options for broken teeth.