Is a Chipped Tooth Serious?

When it comes to oral care, it is important that the nerve of the tooth is always protected. In cases of chipped or cracked teeth, once the nerve becomes exposed to outside factors, you will start to feel them. As soon as you notice your tooth chip, be sure to immediately contact your dentist to help protect your tooth.

 

How to tell if you have a chipped tooth

 

In some cases, a chip or crack in a tooth may not be too obvious. While it is not seen, there can still be damage to the tooth. Only with a dental exam can these issues be fully determined. A few signs that your tooth may be chipped can be:

 

  1. Pain when applying pressure or biting down
  2. Sensitivity to sweets, hot or cold temperatures in food or drink
  3. The surface of the tooth feels uneven or odd
  4. Pain on the tip of the tongue, lip, or gum around the tooth signifies them catching on the chip or crack

 

Five ways a chipped or cracked tooth may occur:

 

  1. Sport Injuries
  2. A study showed that the leading causes of dental injuries occur during contact sports in Australia. Sports like Soccer, Hockey, rugby, and boxing are some high-contact sports where someone would get a dental injury.
  3. In other situations, hard impacts to the mouth or falling over are way more likely to happen for those who don’t play sports.
  4. Misaligned bite and Teeth grinding
  5. Having an uneven bite means that your teeth don’t bite together properly. In this case, more pressure is being put on some teeth than others, which, over time, can cause chipping or cracking.
  6. Grinding and clenching the teeth puts both the teeth and the jaw under pressure. This pressure then wears out the teeth over time, causing chips and cracks. This happens often in sleep or during the day involuntarily.
  7. Ageing and genetics
  8. Over time, the enamel will wear down on the teeth, which is why those of older age have more sensitive and fragile teeth.
  9. In some hereditary cases, tooth problems can be a recurring factor that can be inherited.
  10. Poor Nutrition
  11. Acid wear from wines, fruit juices, and carbonated drinks can damage the integrity of the enamel.
  12. Factoring in leafy greens and dairy products for calcium in the lifestyle can build up to strong and healthy teeth.
  13. Tooth Decay
  14. This happens when the enamel is worn down due to the buildup of bacteria and plaque on the teeth. Both weaken the teeth, making them more prone to damage.
  15. Once the buildup starts burrowing deep beneath the gums, it lets in bacteria that get exposed to the sensitive nerves in the tooth. This causes infection and sometimes death of the nerve.

 

As soon as you notice a chipped or cracked tooth, reach out to your dentist or local dental specialist to further assess your tooth and possibly reattach the chip to the tooth. Without intervention, serious damage to the tooth can occur and lead to more serious issues that affect your overall health. Contact your insurance provider for the nearest clinic to you for immediate availability.

Related Article: What Should I Do About My Chipped Tooth?