Chipped Teeth: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention Tips in 2023

Chipped teeth are one of the most common dental problems that can affect anyone at any age. Whether it’s from biting on something hard, falling, playing sports, or grinding your teeth, chipping a tooth can be painful, embarrassing, and damaging to your oral health. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes, treatments, and prevention tips for chipped teeth.

What Causes Chipped Teeth?

The enamel that covers your teeth is the hardest substance in your body, but it’s not indestructible. It can chip or crack when exposed to excessive force or wear and tear. Some of the common causes of chipped teeth are:

• Biting on hard substances, such as ice, candy, nuts, or bones
• Falling or getting hit in the face or mouth
• Playing contact sports without a mouthguard
• Grinding or clenching your teeth, especially at night
• Having cavities or large fillings that weaken the tooth structure
• Eating acidic foods or drinks that erode the enamel
• Having an eating disorder or alcohol abuse that causes frequent vomiting and exposes the teeth to stomach acid
• Aging, which makes the enamel thinner and more brittle

Some people are more prone to chipping their teeth than others. For example, people who have misaligned teeth, enamel defects, or genetic conditions that affect the tooth structure may have a higher risk of chipping their teeth.

What Are the Symptoms of Chipped Teeth?

Depending on the size and location of the chip, you may or may not notice it right away. Some of the symptoms of chipped teeth are:

• Feeling a sharp or jagged edge when you run your tongue over your teeth
• Seeing a visible crack or missing piece of your tooth
• Experiencing pain or sensitivity when biting, chewing, or drinking hot or cold liquids
• Having bleeding or swelling in your gums around the chipped tooth
• Developing an infection or abscess in the tooth pulp or root

If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage or complications.

How Are Chipped Teeth Treated?

The treatment for chipped teeth depends on the severity and location of the chip. Your dentist will examine your mouth and take X-rays to determine the extent of the damage and the best course of action. Some of the possible treatments are:

• Polishing: If the chip is minor and does not affect the appearance or function of your tooth, your dentist may simply smooth and polish the rough edge to make it more comfortable.
• Bonding: If the chip is small to moderate and affects a front tooth, your dentist may use a tooth-colored resin material to fill in the gap and restore the shape and appearance of your tooth. This procedure is called bonding and it usually takes one visit to complete.
• Veneers: If the chip is large or affects multiple front teeth, your dentist may suggest veneers as a more durable and aesthetic option. Veneers are custom-designed, ultra-thin coverings made of porcelain or composite materials, specifically crafted to snugly encase your own teeth. They can cover up chips, cracks, stains, gaps, and other imperfections. Veneers usually require two visits to complete: one to prepare your teeth and take impressions, and another to cement the veneers in place.
• Crowns: If the chip is extensive and affects a back tooth or exposes the nerve of your tooth, you may need a crown to protect and restore your tooth. A crown is like a protective cap that envelops the entire outer surface of your tooth that you can see. It can be made of metal, porcelain, ceramic, or resin. Crowns usually require two visits to complete: one to shape your tooth and take impressions, and another to place the crown over your tooth.
• Root canal: If the chip reaches the pulp or nerve of your tooth, you may experience severe pain and infection. In this case, you may need a root canal treatment to remove the damaged nerve tissue and seal off the root canal. After a root canal treatment, you will also need a crown to protect and strengthen your tooth.
• Extraction: If the chip is so severe that it cannot be repaired by any other means, you may need to have your tooth extracted. This is usually a last resort option when there is no hope of saving your tooth. After an extraction, you will also need a replacement option for your missing tooth, such as a dental implant, bridge, or denture.

The cost of treating chipped teeth varies depending on the type and extent of treatment required. According to Healthline, polishing may cost around $50-$100 per tooth; bonding may cost around $100-$400 per tooth; veneers may cost around $500-$1,300 per tooth; crowns may cost around $500-$2,500 per tooth; root canal may cost around $300-$2,000 per tooth; and extraction may cost around $75-$450 per tooth. These are only estimates and the actual cost may vary depending on your location, dentist, insurance, and other factors.

How Can You Prevent Chipped Teeth?

While you cannot prevent all accidents or injuries that may cause chipped teeth, you can take some steps to reduce your risk and protect your teeth. Here are some tips to prevent chipped teeth:

• Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports or engaging in activities that may pose a risk of trauma to your mouth
• Avoid biting or chewing on hard objects, such as ice, candy, pens, or fingernails
• Cut or break food into smaller pieces before eating, especially if it is hard or crunchy
• Use scissors or other tools to open packages or bottles, not your teeth
• Treat any dental problems, such as cavities, fillings, or misalignment, that may weaken your teeth or cause uneven pressure
• Avoid or limit acidic foods and drinks, such as citrus fruits, soda, coffee, or wine, that may erode your enamel
• Rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking anything acidic or sugary
• Brush your teeth two times a day using toothpaste that contains fluoride and a toothbrush with soft bristles.
• Don’t forget to floss your teeth at least once a day to eliminate plaque and food particles that may be trapped between your teeth
• Make sure to see your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings
• If you grind or clench your teeth, talk to your dentist about getting a night guard or other treatment options

Also read about Tooth Extraction: Everything You Need to Know About in 2023, click here.

Conclusion

Chipped teeth are a common dental problem that can affect anyone at any age. They can be caused by various factors, such as biting on hard substances, falling, playing sports, or grinding your teeth. Chipped teeth can cause pain, sensitivity, infection, and cosmetic issues.

The treatment for chipped teeth depends on the severity and location of the chip. It may range from polishing to bonding to veneers to crowns to root canal to extraction. The cost of treatment also varies depending on the type and extent of treatment required.

You can prevent chipped teeth by following some simple tips, such as wearing a mouthguard, avoiding hard objects, cutting food into smaller pieces, using tools to open packages, treating dental problems, avoiding acidic foods and drinks, rinsing your mouth with water, brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, visiting your dentist regularly, and getting a night guard if you grind your teeth.

If you have chipped your tooth or suspect that you have, don’t delay seeing your dentist. The sooner you get it treated, the better the outcome and the lower the risk of complications.

We hope this blog post has helped you understand more about Chipped Teeth and its related topics. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading! 😊