Why teeth crumble: causes and treatment

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Unfortunately, due to many reasons, health problems happen that simply crumble teeth. This can occur at different ages, with baby teeth in children and permanent teeth in adults. What to do? Of course, it is worth going to the doctor. Go to the dentist, and he, after examination, can refer to a narrow specialist and advise to undergo examination.

Symptoms

It is difficult to miss such a fact when a tooth is cracked. Usually it happens while eating, and you can feel a hard piece of enamel in your mouth. Sometimes there are many small pieces at once. There is a sense of panic. After all, we know from school that enamel is the hardest tissue in the body. Why does this happen, what causes teeth to crumble and crack?

It happens that it all starts with stains on the enamel – this is a symptom that not everything is in order. And you need to make a visit to the dentist before the crown of the tooth is destroyed.

Reasons why teeth can crumble

The answer to the question of why teeth crumble in an adult or child may be not only in the field of dentistry, but much deeper, and everything is reflected in the state of the dentition.

Causes:

• Poor oralhygiene. And as much as they say that everyone is always talking about the importance of the procedure, but it is true. Acidic environment destructively affects the enamel, making it brittle and vulnerable. Increased acidity is affected by plaque on the teeth, it is there that bacteria and their waste products – destructive acid – accumulate;
• untreated caries and other diseases, when carious tissue becomes a lot and the walls of the tooth are thinning. As a result, the tooth begins to crumble;
• mechanical causes: trauma, extra hard food – nuts, chewing candy, etc., bad habits – chewing pencils, objects, opening a bottle with teeth. As a consequence, the tooth is cracked and broken;
• temperature fluctuations in food. Very hot is abruptly replaced by cold. Enamel can not withstand, cracks appear;
• lack of vitamins and minerals: calcium, vitamin D (which contributes to the absorption of calcium), fluoride, phosphorus;
• metabolic disorders. It is worth visiting an endocrinologist;
• hormonal imbalance. This is not only diseases associated with the hormonal background, its jumps, but also special periods in a person’s life – adolescence and old age, menopause, pregnancy;
• heredity. Genetic predisposition to weak enamel;
• stress;
• improper bite – uneven load on the lower and upper teeth;
• bruxism – involuntary grinding of teeth day or night.

Our expert’s video on how and why teeth decay:

Teeth decay rapidly due to chronic diseases, gastrointestinal diseases and diseases of the glands of internal secretion. And crumbling teeth are a signal that you need to react urgently.

Diagnosis

So, the tooth has crumbled, a piece has broken off. The patient can take it with him to the appointment with the dentist. The doctor will examine the oral cavity, listen, find out the associated known diseases, refer to X-rays. If there is a qualified specialist, then according to the results he will be able to determine whether the dental care is enough or require the conclusions of other specialists, blood tests, ultrasound.

Crumbling teeth in pregnancy

For the development of the fetus requires calcium, which the child receives from the body of the future mom. A woman experiences a deficit if she does not eat a full diet and does not take it additionally in the form of supplements, mineral complexes. Teeth can be destroyed, which occurs in this “interesting position” quite often.

The next factor affecting the weakness of dental tissue can be a hormonal surge during pregnancy and nervousness of the mother.

It is necessary:

• Take care of sufficient intake of calcium in the body, because it affects the development of the bone system (including the rudiments of teeth) of the future child. Balanced diet, if necessary, take active supplements prescribed by a doctor with calcium, vitamin D;
• do not be nervous, more rest and walk;
• be observed during pregnancy by a gynecologist, dentist, other doctors, if indicated.

Can crumble teeth not only during pregnancy, but also during lactation. With the mother’s milk, calcium is transferred to the baby.

How to get rid of the problem, methods of solution

How to stop the destruction of teeth will decide the dentist after identifying the cause. If treatment by other doctors is necessary, then in parallel it is already possible to start and restoration of dental units.

Methods of restoration of teeth:

• filling. Installation of a filling in place of the missing piece of tissue. If the cavity is carious large enough, and the walls are fragile, then an inlay with composite material may be indicated;
• veneers. If a chip, crack on the front teeth of the frontal zone, a thin ceramic inlay will correct the situation by hiding all defects;
• crowns. When the crown of the tooth is badly destroyed, the doctor may advise to put an artificial one made of the chosen material. Most often it is metal-ceramic, ceramic, zirconium dioxide. It is important in what condition of the gum;
• remineralization. Restoration of the normal balance of vitamins in the enamel structure. A special composition is applied to the surface of the teeth for a few minutes. The tissue is saturated, enriched with calcium, fluoride, becomes stronger and can even remove caries at the stage of chalky stain;
• fluoridation. Fluoride-containing pastes saturate the enamel. Fluoride is responsible for calcium crystal compounds. Fluorolac seals the dentinal tubules, strengthening the teeth;
• taking active supplements with calcium and vitamin D.

The environmental situation of the region of residence is one of the causes of dental health pathologies. The quality of air, water and food is far from ideal. Replenish the deficiency with complex supplements, spend weekends in nature. Love organic farm products.

What to do if a tooth has completely crumbled?

The crown part of the tooth has completely crumbled, what to do? It is necessary to get an appointment at a dental clinic within two days. After an X-ray it will be clear – whether the root is preserved, in what condition it is, whether extraction is necessary. Then the possible options for restoration:

• prosthetics (stump inlays, posts, crowns and bridges);
• implantation (implantation of a titanium artificial root into the bone tissue with the subsequent installation of a crown).

In any case, modern techniques are sufficient to make up for any tooth loss.

First aid for severe pain

If you do not yet know why your teeth are crumbling and cracking, but you experience severe pain, and before visiting the dentist can not tolerate it, take painkillers: nurofen, ibuprofen, with anti-inflammatory effect – nimesulide, nayz. Most importantly, you must be sure that these drugs do not cause you an individual allergic reaction.

Prevention

Treat your teeth on time and make it a habit:

• good hygienic brushing of teeth;
• a balanced diet rich in healthy foods (cottage cheese, greens, fruits). Reduce the consumption of sugar and carbohydrates;
• visit the dentist 2 times a year;
• have periodic professional cleanings at a clinic to remove tartar and plaque;
• wear special mouth guards at night for bruxism;
• don’t be nervous and take more walks in the fresh air, lead a healthy lifestyle, and your teeth will be grateful.