Tooth Enamel Cracks: Causes, Risks, and Treatment Options

The enamel is one of the most important parts of your teeth. It's the outermost layer and acts as a protective coating, keeping bacteria away from the sensitive core. Damage to the enamel can lead to painful conditions, requiring a quick visit to one of the top dentists in South Miami.

Besides cavities, cracks and fractures are common problems affecting your tooth's enamel. If left untreated, they can easily affect the integrity of your tooth and cause disrupting discomfort in the long term. To prevent that, here's a breakdown of what causes cracks and what you can do to treat them.

How to Protect Yourself from Cracks in Enamel

Enamel cracks resemble tiny, darkened strings. Love for coloring food and drinks, like tea or coffee, makes the damage even more visible, so they're often more noticeable as they age. While cracks don't tend to affect dentin tissue, this problem shouldn't be carelessly ignored.

Splits that begin with minor damage to the upper layer can deepen if not addressed. This can have serious consequences, even causing complete tooth loss. Moreover, damage to the enamel can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria to grow.

Furthermore, toothaches are frequently caused by cracked teeth. The enamel shields the crown from harm and other elements, so when its integrity is compromised, even the smallest mechanical effect can cause excruciating pain.

What Causes Dental Cracks?

Even though enamel is considered the strongest tissue in the human body, it can be destroyed by mechanical impact. This is how cracks in the enamel of the teeth appear.

The most common causes for dental cracks include:

• Extreme temperature differences
• Nutritional deficiencies that affect bone formation
• Natural disposition
• Smoking, alcohol abuse
• Malocclusion
• Use of toothpicks
• Biting hard things with your teeth
• Abuse of fruit juices, carbonated beverages containing acids that can damage the integrity of the enamel
• Abuse of whitening toothpastes containing abrasive ingredients

Cracks often result from a combination of these factors. Genetic and hereditary conditions can also affect enamel development.

Symptoms of Dental Cracks

Cracked teeth can present with a variety of symptoms. These signs are often subtle at first but become more noticeable over time. Moreover, they can vary depending on the severity and location of the crack.

Some of the most common symptoms associated with dental cracks include:

• Pain When Chewing or Biting: One of the hallmark symptoms is sharp pain when applying pressure to the tooth while chewing. The pain is often inconsistent—it may only occur when biting in a certain way or on specific foods, especially sugary or acidic ones.
• Tooth Sensitivity: Cracks can expose the dentin layer, causing increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks. Sensitivity may linger even after the stimulus is removed.
• Unexplained Toothache: You may feel intermittent pain that seems to come and go without a clear cause. This pain may be difficult to localize or may radiate to surrounding teeth or the jaw.
• Swollen Gums Around the Affected Tooth: A crack can irritate the pulp or allow bacteria in, potentially leading to inflammation or swelling near the cracked area.
• Visible Crack or Line on the Tooth: In some cases, especially with more advanced cracks, you may be able to see the crack on the tooth surface. However, many cracks are microscopic and only visible with dental imaging or special lighting.
• Discomfort When Releasing a Bite: A distinctive symptom of a cracked tooth is pain upon releasing biting pressure, not just when biting down.
• Discoloration of the Tooth: A cracked tooth may appear darker than the surrounding teeth, especially if the crack has affected the pulp.

Treatment and Restoration of the Tooth Surface

The main issue with developing horizontal microcracks on tooth surfaces is that, as the flaw worsens over time, the split may show up on the tooth's root and enamel. When this happens, saving the tooth is nearly impossible, and a tooth extraction combined with a dental restoration may be the only available solution.

For that reason, prompt treatment of enamel cracks is key.

1. Diagnosing Dental Cracks

Sometimes, dental cracks are easily identifiable by patients. Others may feel discomfort in the area but cannot pinpoint the root cause.

To locate a crack in the tooth surface, your dentist will conduct a visual examination and ask about your symptoms. If small cracks can be seen on the teeth, we will notice them right away.

However, it is not uncommon for them to be unnoticeable. Luckily, a specialist uses a specialized lamp that emits ultraviolet light to immediately expose any microcracks in the front or molar teeth.

We can also use a special dye to identify the kind and location of the defect. This is applied to the crown's surface. When enamel is damaged, the pigment is immediately absorbed and stained, enabling the dentist to determine the extent of the damage.

2. Understanding Types of Dental Cracks

Depending on their development and localization, dental cracks can receive different treatments. Flaws are divided into various types:

• Cracks on the front teeth
• Damage to the molars
• Cracks at the root of the damaged tooth

Moreover, by appearance, they can be classified into:

• Vertical cracks on the surface of the tooth
• Horizontal cracks in any teeth
• Diagonal fractures and damages

Cracks can also vary in depth. Therapy methods differ depending on the type of damage, its localization, and the peculiarities of development.

3. Treatment for Dental Cracks

If enamel cracks have already formed, do not put off visiting the doctor. After examining the oral cavity, a specialist will make treatment recommendations.

Dentistry has developed a range of strengthening procedures, including remineralization. Thanks to this procedure, enamel is enriched with useful trace elements and restored to its natural protective qualities. After treatment is completed, the teeth can be coated with a special varnish for strengthening.

However, depending on the type of crack, this procedure may look different:

• A professional cleaning is performed for minor damage that is invisible to the naked eye. We employ unique, mild compositions free of abrasive materials to prevent additional harm to the crown's surface. By removing food particles and bacteria from hard-to-reach places and applying antiseptic compounds, we effectively prevent tooth decay from developing over the crack.
• A fluoride varnish can be applied to small horizontal cracks that have been smoothed out. This treatment is only beneficial for microscopic cracks that are barely visible to the naked eye.
• When a horizontal crack is clearly visible to the naked eye, simply smoothing the surface of the tooth isn’t enough. In these cases, the dentist must remove the damaged tissue and restore the tooth with a high-quality filling material that mimics natural enamel.
• Restoring a tooth becomes much more difficult if the fracture extends from the crown down to the root. In some cases, extraction may be necessary.

If a tooth has a deep horizontal fracture, part of the crown may break off. Fortunately, with today’s advanced restorative techniques and early detection, the tooth’s structure can often be fully rebuilt in a strong and natural-looking way.

How to Prevent Dental Cracks

It is easier to prevent cracks than to cure them. Enamel wear is often a consequence of poor oral care. Maintaining good oral hygiene is thus fundamental to avoiding these issues.

• You should brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily. Avoid using whitening toothpastes, as they can cause enamel wear. If you must, use them only once a week at most.
• You should pick your toothbrush carefully. Soft-bristled toothbrushes are better at protecting your dental enamel.
• After eating, rinse your mouth with plain water or an appropriate mouthwash. If food gets stuck between your teeth, opt for dental floss instead of wooden toothpicks—floss is gentler on enamel and far more effective at cleaning those hard-to-reach areas.
• Visit a dental office for a routine check-up at least once a year. Your dentist will provide care tips to prevent cracks or offer effective treatment.

The Importance of Addressing Dental Cracks Right Away

When left untreated, a cracked tooth can worsen over time, leading to serious complications like infection, abscess formation, the need for root canal therapy, or even a dental extraction. Prompt evaluation and treatment are essential to prevent these outcomes.

Experiencing discomfort while chewing, sensitivity to temperature, or changes in tooth color can be early indicators of pulpal damage. Root canal treatment may be necessary, so don’t wait for the pain to intensify. Visit a trusted Coral Gables dentist as soon as possible.

Find Top Dentists in South Miami to Restore Your Smile

While enamel is one of the hardest substances in your body, it’s still vulnerable to damage from poor eating habits, grinding, or untreated decay. Over time, these small cracks can deepen and cause both cosmetic and functional issues.

Protecting your enamel is vital—it acts as your tooth’s first line of defense. If you suspect you may have a cracked tooth, contact Coral Gables Dentistry. We'll identify the root of the problem and provide prompt treatment before the issue worsens!