Why did a piece of my tooth break off?
People’s teeth can break for a variety of reasons, from the mundane to the extreme. The general wear and tear that comes with age weakens the teeth and can cause them to fracture more easily, and stresses like tooth grinding or clenching or trauma to the teeth can damage anyone’s teeth, no matter how old. There are many ways to treat a broken tooth, and the solution will depend, for the most part, on the location of the damage and its severity. When a tooth cracks or breaks, it is referred to as cracked tooth syndrome, or CTS. Sometimes, cracks in the teeth can be reasonably small and relatively harmless, and other times, a tooth can be damaged enough for a piece of the tooth to break off. When cracks are smaller, they tend to be easier to repair, and repairing a minor crack could help prevent the tooth from sustaining additional damage, so make sure to see a dentist if you suspect that your tooth is cracked or damaged. Repairing a cracked tooth early can save the tooth from extraction.
Each tooth is made up of a root, which is the part of the tooth that lives inside the jaw, below the gums, and a crown, which is the visible structure of the tooth above the gum line. The inner layer of the tooth is made up of soft tissue, rich with nerves and blood vessels, that is called pulp. The calcified layer that surrounds the pulp and creates the solid structure of the tooth is called dentin, and dentin is protected by a shiny, durable outer layer of dental enamel. Teeth can break in any or all of these layers. Sometimes, a broken tooth can cause sensitivity or even pain, but other times, there aren’t really any symptoms of cracked tooth syndrome. Tooth fractures happen more often in people over the age of 50, and they can be caused by a few outside factors. Biting hard foods can cause a piece of a person’s tooth to break off; popcorn kernels are a common culprit. Habitual chewing of ice or gum can also put excessive stress on the teeth and cause fracture, and the condition known as bruxism, which is characterized by chronic grinding or clenching of the teeth, is particularly harmful in this regard. Using the teeth to open bottles or packages is a big no-no, of course, and trauma to the teeth because of injuries, falls, violence, or accidents can also cause substantial damage.
The upper front teeth and the teeth toward the back of the lower jaw are the teeth that fracture most frequently. It’s common to fracture only a single tooth, but when teeth break because of injury or trauma, many teeth could fracture or even be completely knocked out. People who have multiple dental fillings are more likely to have teeth fracture, and when dental fillings are particularly large, the teeth can become especially fragile. Teeth can also weaken because of root canals and become more prone to fracture. When fractured teeth cause symptoms, these symptoms most often include pain that is worse when chewing and may come and go, sensitivity to sugary foods or temperature extremes, and toothache. Your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth, taking x-rays and asking you about your symptoms, and will work with you to plan the best possible treatment for your situation.