Cracked tooth caused by hypothyroidism? - Thyroid UK

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Cracked tooth caused by hypothyroidism?

Timetraveler67 profile image
34 Replies

Is having a cracked tooth hypothyroid related I’m asking this because I have a bad crack and my dentist says it may have to come out. She mentioned she sees more patients with a crack tooth these days whereas it used to be only one or 2 a year. I’ve been watching YouTube teaching dentistry videos to try find out my options and also how this could happen in the first place and I’m wondering if it could stem from having hypothyroidism? If anyone has any advice I would be grateful as on top of everything else losing my tooth will be the end for me as I’ve already lost half my teeth and so worried I’ve been crying for 3 days, I’m a nhs patient so going private isn’t an option for me thank you to everyone here for all the help and support you have given me in the past I appreciate you x

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Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67
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34 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

There are lots of reasons for cracked teeth, personally I doubt if hypothyroidism is one.

dentalhealth.org/cracked-teeth

humanbean profile image
humanbean

The only way that I can think of that hypothyroidism might be involved is if it is the cause of dry mouth/low saliva. Saliva isn't an optional extra in terms of having good dental health. And having too little will mean the mouth isn't as clean an environment as it could be, even if teeth are cleaned properly and regularly.

jimh111 profile image
jimh111

A few years ago I researched dental problems and hypothyroidism. I only found two old studies written in Russian. I think hypothyroidism does affect teeth. After starting levothyroxine my dentist remarked that my teeth looked better. Also, my teeth declined rapidly when I tried coming off thyroid hormone.

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67 in reply tojimh111

Thank you for your reply it makes sense what you say as I was undiagnosed for many years I was reading vitamin d helps with k2 but I struggle taking j2 so I stopped taking them. Thank you again for replying to me

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toTimetraveler67

Timetraveler67

I was reading vitamin d helps with k2 but I struggle taking j2 so I stopped taking them.

You seem to have that the wrong way round. Vit D doesn't help with K2.

When taking D3 this aids absorption of calcium from food. Taking K2-mk7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissue where it can be deposited and cause problems such as calcification of arteries, kidney stones, etc.

So if you take K2-mk7 when taking D3 then theoretically you will be helping strengthen your teeth because calcium will be directed there.

What is your current Vit D level?

How much D3 do you take?

Which K2 supplement did you try and what was it that you struggled with? Did you try a different sort?

100mcg K2-mk7 is the recommended amount for up to 10,000iu D3.

K2 from diet :

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67 in reply toSeasideSusie

My vitamin d level is 64 I was taking Holland and Barrett K2 but felt it made me feel nauseous so I stopped it. I also tried better you and had the same problem- I tried one more very expensive one which was recommended on here but had same problem. It’s been 4 months now not taking K2 I had the X-ray for thinning bones done and it showed I have the beginning of ( sorry I’m not feeling very well tonight and can’t remember medical term for the start of thinning bones) anyway I do want to take k2 I just don’t know which one to buy that is gentle. Thank you

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toTimetraveler67

Timetraveler67

Your Vit D level is too low, ideally it would be double that. The Vit D Society and Grassroots Health both recommend a level of 100-150nmol with a recent blog post on Grassroots Health recommending at least 125nmol.

You'd be looking to take 3,000-4,000iu daily to achieve the recommended level.

H&B own brand supplements generally aren't particularly good, they tend to contain a lot of added inactive ingredients.

Have you tried a pure supplement with no additives. For example Vitamaze do a K2-mk7 liquid which is just K2-mk7 and olive oil, you would take the appropriate number of drops to give 100mcg:

amazon.co.uk/Menaquinone-Al...?

Or Nature Provides do a nice clean D3 /K2 combined liquid, 5 drops daily provides 3,000iu D3 and 50mcg K2-mk7.

amazon.co.uk/Strength-Subli...?

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67 in reply toSeasideSusie

Oh, I didn’t realise I needed to take such a large amount each day it seems so high dose but will increase my dose as you recommend , I will follow your link to amazon now and buy the k2 as I’ve stocked up with d3 tablets and don’t want to waist them. Thank you for explaining the dosage and I really appreciate the links you sent Me which I’m going to amazon now to buy. Thanks again

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toTimetraveler67

Tablets are the least absorbable type of D3 supplement. D3 is fat soluble and tablets don't contain any form of fat, so you need to take the tablet with some kind of dietary fat such as the fattiest meal of the day, or some cheese or a full fat yogurt, etc

Because K2 is also fat soluble, even though the drops I linked to have olive oil, take the K2 at a different time of day to the D3 tablet or they will compete for the fat for absorption.

After you have been taking the increased dose of D3 fr 3 months, retest to check your level to see whether the dose needs adjusting. Once you have reached the recommended level you will need to take a maintenance dose to keep it there, it may be 2,000iu, maybe more or less, and you may need more in winter than summer.

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67 in reply toSeasideSusie

So shall I cancel the k2 and order the d2+k2 ? I can throw my tablets away if there not really going to absorb so well, but the d3+ k2 in the link are already together so won’t they compete? I don’t mind cancelling and I’ll place the order for the k2+d3 please advise thanks

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toTimetraveler67

but the d3+ k2 in the link are already together so won’t they compete?

It is an oil based supplement, there will be enough oil for them both to be absorbed. I have spoken to someone at Nature Provides (can't remember who she was) and they were very helpful so if you have any questions about their product you could contact them.

Ellie-Louise profile image
Ellie-Louise in reply toSeasideSusie

I didn’t know that about K2. I take mine all together with the magnesium.

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67 in reply toSeasideSusie

SeasideSusie I just came back to thank you for your recommendation for the combined d3/k2 because I’ve been taking it every morning for almost a week now and the difference in my whole health and well being is just amazing. I’m having extensive dental work done and on antibiotics as the X-ray showed my ligaments are badly inflamed in my jaw so I stopped all my supplements except the d3/k2 as I don’t want them to interfere with the antibiotics which are called Metronidazole. I’m doing a Medichecks advanced thyroid next week when I’ve finished the antibiotics, please can you tell me is it 2 days or 2 weeks you have to stop thorn B complex? Thank you again

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toTimetraveler67

Timetraveller67

I just came back to thank you for your recommendation for the combined d3/k2 because I’ve been taking it every morning for almost a week now and the difference in my whole health and well being is just amazing.

Oh wow! I've never, ever, had such a quick reaction to any supplement, I'm the sort of person who plods along, not noticing anything different until months later I can go "Oh, I don't feel quite so bad as I did back then". I am very envious!

I’m doing a Medichecks advanced thyroid next week when I’ve finished the antibiotics, please can you tell me is it 2 days or 2 weeks you have to stop thorn B complex?

The recommendation for stopping B Complex/any supplement containing biotin is 3-7 days. It depends on the amount of biotin. If you were taking a high dose standalone biotin supplement of, say, 5mg or 10mg then you'd leave it off for the 7 days. Thorne Basic B contains 400mcg biotin so you could leave it off for 3 days. If you want to err on the side of caution (which I tend to do) then leave it off for 7 days.

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67 in reply toSeasideSusie

Thank you! I will leave if off 7 days just to be sure. Yes! I can’t believe how fast it worked either, it tastes like a chemical I your mouth it’s so horrible to take so I mix it with peanut butter. Now I’ve found it thanks to you and I’m so grateful also I’m able To tolerate the k2 which I never thought I’d be able to do x

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toTimetraveler67

Which D3 /K2 are you using?

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67 in reply toSeasideSusie

It’s the one you recommended and you sent the amazon link to buy it. It’s by nature provides its mixed in pressed black seed oil, I think it’s the black seed oil that gives it the strong chemical burning taste, Ive read peoples reviews and they say it’s very strong taste but they all said if you can stick with it your see the bennifits which I definitely have, I highly recommended

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toTimetraveler67

Oooh, that's really good to know. I don't use that one because I bought a year's worth of Doctor's Best D3 and have many months' left. I'll make a note to try that next time.

Thanks so much for the feedback 😊👍

Lulu2607 profile image
Lulu2607 in reply toTimetraveler67

Hi. I agree with Greygoose. Before being diagnosed I became very ill with severe hypothyroidism. Along with all the awful symptoms my teeth got very soft and chalky and two of them cracked then broke which the dentist has patched up . After starting levo they have hardened up a lot but I also worry that the dry mouth symptom might now be causing damage. I do think your teeth problens could be caused by hypothyroidism given that my teeth improved once on levo. I also got my hearing back and my hair grew again. Everything slows down when you're badly hypothyroid, but should start to recover when adequately treated. Maybe the dentist can repair the crack so you don't lose the tooth?

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67 in reply toLulu2607

Thank you lulu for replying to me I’m sorry you had all those problems with your teeth but that’s good news they’ve hardened up, hopefully mine will as well. The dentist tried cementing the crack but because it goes right up into the pulp she told me to come back for extraction. I was too ill on Tuesday ( day I saw her to have it taken out) so I have to ring up and make an appointment when I feel a bit better she said. I want to try build myself up for it as at the moment I’m very run down and emotional. Just reading your comment has helped me so much so thank you again for replying to me

greygoose profile image
greygoose

Pretty certain hypothyroidism is one. I've lost about 90% of mine in the same way. They just crack and fall apart. Don't want to alarm you, but I was left undiagnosed/untreated for nearly 50 years, so I'm probably an extreme case. Do you think your hypothyroidism started in childhood, like mine, when the teeth were forming?

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67 in reply togreygoose

Bless you greygoose for your reply I’m sorry to hear you’ve been through so much with your teeth, it’s a horrible feeling isn’t it and as I am very scared as like I said in my post I’ve already lost so many teeth. I’m not sure when it started But I think bad nutrition could be a factor as well. Have you a good dentist that has helped you?

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toTimetraveler67

Yes, bad nutrition does play a part, but strong teeth and bones need good levels of thyroid hormone.

As I've moved around a lot, I've seen a lot of dentists - some very good, some absolutely awful - one even kicked me out of his surgery because I insisted on a pain-killer and wouldn't let him inject it into an abcess! - and some just indifferent. The one I have at the moment is a lovely man, but an indifferent dentist, so I'm saving up to find a better one! :)

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame

My teeth have always been weak/soft.... according to dentists.

I lost many as I was growing up

They suggested I may have inherited this from my mother.

My diet has always been good as was that of my mother.

It was a bit of a mystery.

As a baby I even has a special cow to provide my milk...

Or so I was told!!

It now turns out that I have possibly had thyroid problems /low T3 all my life ( long story)

The question then, is, did that low T3 cause my teeth to deteriorate.

And did my mother, as I now suspect, also have undiagnosed hypothyroidism.

Don't cry anymore, there are lots of things that (NHS) dentists can now do to resolve dental problems.

Like many others, I've now lost most of my own teeth, but that wasn't "the end for me".

Take care!

Lotika profile image
Lotika

My dentist says that gum disease (which can go on to cause cracked teeth) is much more prevalent in autoimmune patients and most thyroid disease is autoimmune, so in my dentists view, yes. I have had 2-3 cracked teeth removed and I associate the two, sadly. I feel for you as I am getting short of molars myself!

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67 in reply toLotika

Thank you Lotika and I’m sorry to hear you lost some teeth it’s really scary isn’t it but I feel less fearful tonight after yours and others comments to my question because I know I’m not alone and others have had cracked teeth as well and thank you for explaining about it being connected to autoimmune disease

Marymary7 profile image
Marymary7

I’m also a sufferer of cracked and poor teeth with thyroid problems, dry mouth etc. My dentist says I grind my teeth at night and need to wear a shield all night. I’ve not tried that yet though, more expense! Good luck with the vitamin D sounds like that’s a contributor. Get in the sun too 😎

Geography1 profile image
Geography1

My dentist said to me that they could tell I clench my teeth and said that most of their patients with thyroid issues do that.

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67 in reply toGeography1

That’s interesting, a couple of years ago my dentist told me that she thought I did it in my sleep. Thank you for replying to me

Popeye44 profile image
Popeye44

I had problems with my teeth cracking in my 20s and 30s. I now have more crowns than the Queen! I was sub-clinical for years but after starting VitD 3000iu daily a few years ago (I was very deficient) my dentist says my teeth are ok. I take an oral spray by Better You because the capsules prescribed by the GP gave me a gnawing pain in my stomach. I've tried the D/K2 combination but I always get lots of bruises so just take the Vit D alone. Private dentistry is more expensive but in the long run it hasn't cost me as much because my teeth are super clean and the crowns I've had for 30+years are x-rayed every two years to ensure the roots have no decay. I've also found the collagen I take for my joints has helped my gums.

Clydeiknowyou69 profile image
Clydeiknowyou69

Hi, I have been told I have sub clinical hypothyroidism by the GP's. On this site I have been told I have hashimotos thyroidism, two TSH over five and positive TPO antibodies. Been feeling rubbish with a lot of symptoms for ages. One of my teeth broke of completely from the gum, have dentist end of month to get what's left extracted. I feel this is thyroid related. Will ask the dentist. No treatment from GP's.

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67 in reply toClydeiknowyou69

I’m sorry to hear your tooth has broken off too, it’s a terrible worry isn’t it with everything else going on as well, my dentist said it’s not related to thyroid but I’m not convinced so please let me know what your dentist says x

Clydeiknowyou69 profile image
Clydeiknowyou69 in reply toTimetraveler67

I will let you know what my dentist says.

Dandelions profile image
Dandelions

I have been wondering the same. I have bad teeth too.. for no apparent reason. And my son has a tooth abnormality due to some unknown fault during pregnancy, which leads me to think I lack resources/nutrients to build strong teeth.

For a while I have suspected a link with hypothyroidism. Like humanbean I suspect low saliva contributes to my weak teeth.

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