It is known that chipping a tooth is a common dental injury that can happen to anyone in any situation. In some cases, it’s due to outside forces that a tooth can become chipped, but in others, it’s due to poor lifestyle choices or hereditary causes. Regardless, it is still important to address a chipped tooth to a dental professional as soon as possible. Once you talk to a dentist, they can help you navigate how to care for the damaged tooth and how to avoid damaging others.
Causes of getting a chipped or cracked tooth:
Getting a chipped tooth can actually be pretty easy to do and can happen at any age. While it is one of the most frequent dental injuries, it is known that about 20% of adults experience having a chipped tooth in their lives. Some common causes of chipping or cracking of the teeth can be due to:
- Enduring physical damage to the mouth from either sports-related injuries, getting hit in the mouth very hard, or even as simple as falling and hitting your mouth.
- Using teeth as personal tools, like biting things to tear or open them, can cause damage over time to the teeth. Even someone holding nails in their mouth for years of working with nails can see damage in their teeth over time.
- Weakened enamel from a bad diet, high acids, decay, or even old fillings in the mouth can do some serious damage. This can also come from constant grinding of the teeth.
- Consuming hard foods like nuts, seeds, or hard candy can take a toll on the teeth. If you have ever had the urge to bite into a jawbreaker, don’t. It can literally break your jaw and your teeth if you bite hard enough.
What should I take into account for tooth health?
After chipping or cracking a tooth, there is little to no time before harmful bacteria begin to spread inside the area and build up. It is important to make sure that a dentist is seen soon after a chip or crack is discovered to gain guidance and treatment for the tooth. Some other things to consider that can factor into more chip-prone teeth include:
- Enamel becomes weaker with age, making it more brittle and prone to cracking since there are few minerals produced in the body. As a person ages, they are more at risk of gum disease and tooth/ jaw decay.
- While it isn’t an immediate emergency when cracking or chipping a tooth, it’s still important to see a dental specialist as soon as possible. Not only can they fix the problem, but also come up with treatment plans for preparing against further damage and healing.
- Once a crack or chip is discovered, there are a few treatment options for fixing the problem. A dentist can go through the procedure of repairing the tooth with bonding, crowns, or veneers.
In the case that you or someone you know is having tooth pain or has discovered a chipped or cracked tooth, it is best to seek medical attention immediately. Your future self will thank you.
Related Article: Why are my Teeth Chipping?