A chipped or cracked tooth has the potential to cause you pain and make you feel self-conscious about your smile. It can also lead to additional injury if your chipped tooth is sharp. A cracked tooth – depending on how the damage happened – could potentially lead to tooth death. There are several different ways that a tooth can become chipped or cracked. The underlying cause of the problem will impact the treatment option that is right for you.

Hit/Fall/Accident

Blunt force is a common way that teeth become chipped or cracked. If you get hit in the mouth with a ball or walk into a doorframe it can chip your tooth. Falling can cause a chip or crack, depending on the severity of the fall. A car accident or some type of collision can lead to a chipped or cracked tooth. Any type of trauma to your tooth can cause injury. And, the extent of the damage is not always immediately clear. For example, a crack can be surface level or extend all the way to the root. You may not realize that the crack is severe until after your tooth starts to become discolored. It is always worth a call to your dentist when you have some type of trauma to your tooth. Your dentist may want to look at it to determine if the injury is severe enough to require immediate intervention.

Eating

The simple act of eating has the potential to cause a chipped or cracked tooth. Hard candy, ice, and even carrots have caused people to chip their teeth. Sometimes it is because there was a previous issue with the tooth and other times it is completely unexpected. People have also chipped and cracked their teeth by biting down too hard or wrong on food. When teeth unintentionally collide with one another they can crack or chip. Injuring your tooth in that way often leads to pain. You have to eat so there is always a chance that you will injure your teeth. You can minimize those chances by avoiding chewing on ice and carefully choosing the types of food you eat. If you cannot give up hard candy, let it dissolve in your mouth long enough to make chewing it up safe and easy.

Neglect

Neglecting to care for your teeth properly over an extended period of time can make them vulnerable to injury. Weak teeth are more likely to get chipped or cracked while eating or through a trauma. Getting the appropriate nutrients in your diet, being consistent with a daily oral care routine, and going to preventative dental visits are all steps you can take to keep your teeth strong and protect them from injury.

Teeth sometimes get injured – it’s a fact of life. Sometimes accidents happen and eating can be dangerous. The best way to protect your teeth from chips and cracks is to keep up with routine care. If you do ever get in a situation where you chip or crack a tooth, there is help available. At Dental Remedies, you can have the visible damage repaired with veneers or crowns. If the damage goes below the surface, Dr. Singh can provide treatment to ensure the health of your tooth and your comfort.