Even though the enamel is the hardest substance in the body, this doesn’t mean your tooth isn’t at risk of chipping. A heavy collision or accident is a prime example of a tooth going through trauma and becoming chipped. Eventually, a chipped tooth can lead to tooth sensitivity, pain when chewing and becoming exposed to hot and cold temperatures.
What Is A Chipped Tooth?
A chipped tooth results in a jagged tooth surface that causes sharp points to form and damages smiling confidence. The severity of a chipped tooth may not just be as light as a chip in the corner, the chip can also impact downwards and reach the tooth root.
What Else May Cause A Chipped Tooth?
The possible causes of a chipped tooth include:
- Dental Cavities – When a dental cavity forms, this means a tiny hole or opening has formed. This naturally weakens your teeth and can lead to multiple chips and deeper cracks, causing the tooth to break entirely.
- Poor Hygiene – A chipped tooth can make you vulnerable to chips and cracks. With a poor oral routine, your enamel will become weaker, meaning there’s a greater chance of a chipped tooth forming.
- Teeth Grinding – Teeth grinding is a condition where your teeth clench and grind together unconsciously. This can also cause significant chips in your teeth and is a condition that will need addressing.
- Heavy Collision – Tooth trauma can be caused by a heavy collision, for example, when playing sports. This is very likely if you’re not wearing a dental mouthguard.
- Biting On Something Hard – If you’ve built up the habit of using your teeth when biting down on hard surfaces or ice, then you’re more than likely to experience a chipped tooth.
How Can A Chipped Tooth Be Treated?
How a chipped tooth can be treated is dependent on how severe the chip is. We’ll break the severity level down by minor, medium and major chips.
- Treatments For A Minor Chip – A tooth can be polished and smoothed out if the chip is very small. This can be performed at a routine dental check-up.
- Treatments For A Medium Chip – Dental fillings and dental crown treatments will be likely if a chip has caused some damage to your tooth enamel. Impact on your tooth enamel can cause problems to overall mouth functioning whilst compromising your appearance.
- Treatment For A Major Chip – The underlying nerves are likely to have been damaged, and the dentist would recommend root canal treatment to apply a crown around the tooth to protect it.
What Do I Do With A Chipped Tooth Before My Appointment?
If you’re awaiting an appointment and you have a chipped tooth, follow these steps in the meantime:
- Rinse Your Mouth – Clear any debris from the mouth through a water rinse.
- Apply Pressure To The Affected Area – If you have a gauze pad, bite down on it to stem any bleeding. The more pressure you apply the quicker the blood will stop.
- Protect The Tooth – Bring the chipped tooth with you at your appointment. Keep it safe in a moist environment such as a container with milk, or cover it with dental cement which you can find at your local drug store.
If you’ve experienced a chipped tooth, a visit to the dentist is likely required.
