With the holidays right around the corner, it’s likely that you or your child is enjoying some snacks that may not be the best for your teeth. Anything that is hard or crunchy can be problematic for your pearly whites, especially if it results in a chipped tooth. While dental emergencies are not a welcome occurrence, it’s best if you are prepared for when they occur. It’s also important to find ways to avoid these types of situations, if possible.
What Can Cause a Chipped Tooth?
Tooth enamel is meant to be strong and durable. Withstanding the daily wear and tear you put on your teeth, it can take a lot for a chip to occur; however, that’s not always the case with young, developing teeth or ones that are worn down over time. If you’re wondering what exactly can cause this type of dental emergency, here are a few reasons:
- Cavities
- A misaligned bite
- Biting into something hard or crunchy (i.e. ice, hard candy)
- Serious trauma to the face or mouth
- Poor oral hygiene
- Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching)
How to Tell if It’s an Emergency
It might always be easy to tell if the chipped tooth is a serious emergency, so if you want to err on the side of caution, it’s always best to call your dentist office and explain the situation. Based on the information you provide, they will be able to tell you if you should seek immediate treatment or will be fine waiting until you can get in to see an available dentist.
In most instances, a chipped tooth is something you want to have fixed right away. The reason is that you want to avoid extraction if at all possible, and you want to prevent additional injury to your soft oral tissues or nearby teeth due to the jagged edges left by the chipped area.
Before you see your dentist, make sure you keep the tooth clean and avoid chewing on that particular side of your mouth. This will reduce the chances of the tooth coming into contact with anything that could potentially worsen your oral health or the tooth’s natural structure.
Depending on the severity of the chip, your dentist will either bond it using composite resin, fill it (if it’s a minor chip), place a porcelain veneer over the problem tooth, or perform a root canal if the chip extends down deep into the tooth’s inner layer. This last option will require a dental crown to be placed over the tooth to keep it intact.
When a chipped tooth occurs, don’t wait to seek treatment. Call your dentist as soon as possible and let the professionals repair your tooth and get you back on your way to enjoying a healthier, happier smile.
About the Author
Dr. Hube Parker achieved his undergraduate degree from Mississippi State University before graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry in 1993. Practicing in Mobile for more than 25 years, he and his team at Parker Dental & Orthodontics want to help you and your family get the care you need every time you visit. Whether it is preventive services, orthodontics, or emergency dentistry, you can count on Dr. Parker to deliver quality, comfortability, and accuracy. To learn more, contact us by visiting our website.