There are many reasons why a tooth can crack or break down. Usually, a cracked tooth is due to large amounts of decay. This usually presents as a toothache. Sometimes, large fillings or root canals result in a tooth crack, especially when further decay has happened.

Despite great oral hygiene or healthy dentition, the following can cause tooth fractures:

• Bruxism (tooth grinding),
• Aggressive chewing,
• Biting on hard foods or objects (e.g., nuts, hard-boiled lollies, olive pips, pen lids etc),
• Using teeth to open utensils (e.g., packaging, bottle lids etc),
• Sporting injuries (not wearing a mouthguard),
• Car or motorbike accidents,
• Other trauma (e.g., violence, falls, etc).
• Old dental work or amalgam fillings.