Why Are My Teeth Chipping?
If you have a chipped tooth, even just a small chip or minor break, it can be an unpleasant and possibly unhealthy experience. Identifying the cause of your chipped tooth is simple if it is due to a fall or other accident. But if it seems to have happened for no reason, or you do not know how it happened, your best course of action is always to see your dentist as soon as possible.
What Are Common Causes of Teeth Chipping?
Chipped teeth can be caused by any of the following factors:
- Chewing on hard foods such as hard candy or ice—or even fingernails—may seem harmless, but hard surfaces and textures can slowly weaken tooth enamel. Over time, the damage caused can mean your teeth no longer tolerate the stress, which can cause chips and breaks.
- Grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism, occurs when you involuntarily clench and grind your teeth together, usually during sleep. Depending on the severity, bruxism can cause toothaches, headaches, jaw pain, enamel erosion, and chipped or broken teeth.
- Tooth decay due to cavities and improper oral care can result in chipped or broken teeth, especially if you have a cavity that was not treated and has reached an advanced stage of decay.
- Age-related dental issues make it more likely that you could experience chipped or broken teeth. Changes in our bodies due to aging also affect oral health. Over time, tooth exposure to acidic foods and drinks causes enamel failure, leading to tooth decay.
Common symptoms of chipped teeth are gum irritation around the affected tooth, a jagged tooth surface you can feel with your tongue, and pressure or pain when biting. If a chip in your tooth worsens and becomes a larger crack that extends into the pulp, or dentin, inside your tooth, infection might occur. Signs of infection include discomfort while eating, sensitivity to hot or cold foods or liquids, fever, a sour taste or foul odor in your mouth, or inflammation of the glands in the face and neck.
What Are Treatment Methods for Chipped Teeth?
Based on the severity of your chipped tooth, your dentist may recommend the following treatments:
- Fillings are an excellent solution for minor chips in teeth that do not involve exposed dentin. For visible teeth, your dentist will choose a tooth-colored filling that will blend with the rest of your teeth.
- Bonding and contouring are effective treatments for small chips or cracks. Your dentist will use tooth-colored resin to fill affected spaces and then contour the material to blend naturally with your smile, especially if a visible tooth is involved.
- Gold crowns are used for teeth that are too damaged for fillings or bonding. Crowns restore the shape and function of badly chipped, cracked, or eroded teeth. For visible teeth, the gold is coated with porcelain and color-matched to blend naturally with your other teeth.
- Root canal treatment may be necessary for advanced cavities, severe breaks, or tooth infection. Treatment involves removing the root tissue in your tooth, filling the root area, and sealing it to prevent further damage or infection.
What Steps Can I Take to Protect My Teeth?
Unfortunately, there are many common reasons why your teeth might be chipping. But you can take action to solve the problem and protect your teeth. Practice good dental hygiene on a consistent basis—brush twice a day for two minutes each time, floss at least once a day, and use mouthwash. This will help you avoid decreased saliva in your mouth and the breakdown of the strength of your teeth due to enamel degradation.