Cracks in a tooth can be caused by a number of things. Perhaps you bit into something that was too hard, or perhaps you grind your teeth at night. It could be the result of playing sports or another activity that stresses your mouth and jaw. Whatever the cause, a cracked tooth is never a pleasant thing to have to happen. However, some people wonder if it is possible for a hairline crack in a tooth to heal itself. The good news is that while it is not common, cracked teeth can heal themselves given the right conditions. Here’s what you need to know about this and if it’s likely to happen with your teeth.
Can A Hairline Crack In A Tooth Heal Itself?
Yes, a hairline crack in a tooth can sometimes heal itself. A hairline crack is a very small break or fissure in the enamel of a tooth. If it’s not too deep, the crack may close up and the tooth may be fine. But if the crack extends into the dentin or pulp of the tooth, it can be painful and may require treatment. If you think you have a hairline crack in your tooth, see your dentist for an evaluation. He or she will be able to determine whether the crack is superficial and has stopped progressing, or if it has extended further into the tooth and needs to be treated. Depending on the severity of the crack, your dentist may recommend either restorative
How Can A Cracked Tooth Heal?
Nutrition
Your body needs certain nutrients to heal, and if you’re not getting them, your body will not be able to repair itself. This is why a diet that is high in calcium and vitamin D is associated with lower rates of tooth decay.
Time
It takes time for cells to grow and divide. If the crack in the tooth is small, the cells may be able to grow over it, closing off the opening so that bacteria can’t get in and cause more damage. This process can take weeks or months, depending on how large the crack is and how fast your body can heal it.
Dentin Remodeling
As dentin remodels, it becomes stronger over time because of increased mineral content from saliva flow through the tubules in dentin (see plaque). Thus a crack that has penetrated into dentin may heal as long as it does not extend into pulp tissue (nerve) where the flow of minerals and other mes more like enamel, becoming harder and less susceptible to cracking. This process takes time, but can eventually close up a hairline crack in a tooth.
Enamel Remodeling
Enamel remodeling is similar to dentin remodeling, but it is slower and may not close the hairline crack in a tooth completely. That said, it can help prevent further damage to the enamel by shielding the tooth from outside forces that might cause additional cracking.
Restorative Dentistry
If you do have a hairline crack in your tooth that has extended into the pulp or dentin of your tooth, restorative dentistry may be necessary to help stop any further damage and preserve the integrity of the tooth. Your dentist will be able to determine whether this is necessary and suggest treatment options if it is required.
What You Can Do To Help A Cracked Tooth Heal
- Maintain good oral hygiene. When you have a crack in your tooth, it is more susceptible to infection. This is why it is so important to brush and floss regularly.
- See your dentist for regular checkups. By having a cracked tooth checked out, you can determine if it has the potential to heal on its own or if it needs additional care to promote healing.
- Consider using an antibiotic rinse at home if you are uncomfortable with taking antibiotics orally or via injection at the dentist’s office. Dentists often recommend this as one of the best ways to prevent infection in a cracked tooth before going ahead with any other treatment options that may be available for you.
- Explore the option of root canal therapy if you are experiencing significant pain in your tooth that does not seem to go away, even after trying all of the other methods mentioned above and waiting a few days or weeks for the pain to subside on its own, especially if the tooth has been cracked for a few months or longer.
- Consider having a crown placed on the tooth if it is cracked in such a way that it exposes the pulp inside. This will help to protect the tooth from further damage and promote healing.
- Use a mouth guard at night if you are grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw during sleep. This will ensure that you do not crack any other teeth while you sleep.
- If none of these options work for you, consider having a root canal performed on your tooth if other options fail to alleviate pain and promote healing for your tooth. While this might seem like the last option, it could be the best one for your particular situation and situation, especially when it comes to saving your natural teeth rather than having to replace them with false ones later on due to an infection or decay on top of a crack in the tooth.
5 Conditions needed for a hairline crack to heal
Healthy gums
If you have diseased or inflamed gums, they won’t be able to help trap food and bacteria as they should. This can increase the likelihood that a crack in a tooth will become infected.
Healthy saliva
Saliva helps to wash away bacteria and food particles that you swallow. If your saliva isn’t healthy, it won’t be able to do this.
Healthy bacteria
The bacteria in your mouth can help fight against harmful bacteria and promote healing. If there are too many bad bacteria in your mouth, the good bacteria can’t thrive. This can make a cracked tooth more susceptible to infection.
Healthy tooth
Cracked teeth are more likely to become infected. This can lead to a dental abscess, which is an infection in the jaw. In order for a hairline crack in a tooth to heal, it must be on the inside of the tooth. A crack on the outside of the tooth is more likely to become infected.
A weakened tooth
This is a very important condition that must be present to heal a hairline crack in a tooth. If your tooth is strong, it will be able to withstand the pressure of chewing and brushing without being weakened. If your tooth is weakened, though, it may not be able to withstand this pressure as well. This can lead to a hairline crack in a tooth that would otherwise heal.
Conclusion
A hairline crack in a tooth can be caused by biting down on something that is too hard, grinding your teeth at night, or another factor. While it is not common, it is possible for a hairline crack in a tooth to heal itself. If you have a cracked tooth, you might wonder if it can heal itself. The good news is that it is possible for a hairline crack in a tooth to heal, given the right conditions. To increase the likelihood of a hairline crack in a tooth healing on its own, you can try using a mouthwash like Listerine. You also need to have healthy gums, saliva, and bacteria in your mouth. Finally, you must have a weakened tooth to help the crack heal.
