General Dentistry
Whoops, so you’ve chipped a tooth. Or maybe your ‘little one’ has chipped theirs. (As parents, we know that this can feel worse than chipping your own tooth.)
Hey, it happens. And it’s waaay more common than you might think. Sure, tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body (tougher than steel, can you believe?), but it’s not indestructible.
The big question on your lips is “what do I do now?”
Read on for first aid for a chipped tooth (i.e. what you can do to reduce the pain and swelling). Plus, clue up on the main causes of a chipped or cracked tooth and the treatment options.
Noticed you have a chipped or cracked tooth? Book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, here are some steps you can take to help reduce any pain or swelling.
Chipped tooth not bothering you? Great. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Leaving a chipped or broken tooth untreated can lead to further damage. If decay or infection sets in, you may need more extensive dental treatment in the future.
From a blow to the face to something as silly as biting down on a chocolate bar (uh huh, it happens!), the causes of a chipped tooth vary. Here’s a look at some of the common ways people chip a tooth.
Sometimes innocent foods can cause an almighty headache (or toothache). Like when you discover (too late) an unexpected olive pit in your pasta. How many times have you bitten down on a sneaky corn kernel in your butter popcorn? As for ice cubes, well, they should come with a hazard warning.
A chip or crack to the tooth is the most common sports-related dental injury. In fact, basketball and baseball are the two highest ranked sports for dental injuries. Yet, falling off a bike, scooter or skateboard are just as risky. The best way to keep your teeth safe and chip-free is to wear a mouthguard when doing any kind of sport or ‘risky’ activity.
Yes, fillings or restorations do reinforce and protect your teeth. The thing is, as they get old, they can wear away and leave your teeth vulnerable to cracks and chips. The best way to prevent this is with regular checks-ups. Your dentist will be able to spot any potential issues before they become a costly (or painful) problem.
Over time grinding your teeth (AKA bruxism) can wear them down, leaving teeth weak and at higher risk of chipping or cracking. Likewise, when you clench, the pressure of the jaw can damage the tooth enamel. This can leave teeth more prone to chip or break.
Dental cavities create holes in the teeth that weaken them. Something as simple as biting or chewing can result in a chip or break.
A chipped tooth is pretty obvious—a piece of tooth will be missing. A cracked tooth, on the other hand, can be more subtle. You might not even notice it.
Symptoms of a cracked teeth include:
Chipped tooth repair will vary, depending on the damage and the condition of the remaining tooth. Your dentist will determine the best solution. Possible treatment options to fix a chipped tooth include:
Bonding is a common way to repair chipped or broken teeth. Composite resin is used to build up the tooth structure. The resin is shaped to create a natural looking cover for your chipped tooth.
A blue light is used to harden the bonding material. If properly cared for, this type of repair can last up to 10 years.
Where there is only minor damage, a filling may be used. Fillings are particularly common if the chip happens in a back tooth or molar, as these teeth are less visible.
If the damage is more severe or occurs in a front tooth, dental veneers are an option. A thin porcelain cover is placed over the front of the tooth, leaving you with a natural looking smile that’s just as beautiful (or even better) than before.
Dental crowns tend to be the best option when the break or chip has caused a significant loss to the original tooth. Also, in cases where the chewing surface of the tooth has been damaged.
The crown covers the entire tooth to repair and strengthen it, as well as keeping tooth decay at bay.
A severely damaged tooth may need root canal therapy. Infected tissue inside the tooth is cleaned out and the damaged pulp is removed. The root is then filled with special material and a dental crown is placed to strengthen and protect the tooth.
Your dentist will explore all the possible options to save your tooth before recommending tooth removal. Yet, in severe cases, this may be the best option. The affected tooth is removed and replaced with a dental implant. The good news is that, nowadays, dental implants look just as natural as real teeth.
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A chipped front tooth can be upsetting, mainly because it’s the most noticeable tooth. It can also be painful. Particularly if it’s the result of a blow to the face.
For a chipped front tooth, your dentist is likely to choose a treatment that’s more aesthetically pleasing. This might include dental veneers, bonding or a dental crown.
A chipped molar tooth might not be as visible as a damaged front tooth, but it can be just as painful.
The second molar from the back is the most prone to chipping. This is because it bears the brunt of the pressure when you chew. Fillings are the most common treatment for a chipped back tooth. Not only do they offer an immediate solution, but a filling can restore the tooth’s strength.
Book an appointment as soon as possible and let the caring team at Hello Dental provide the best treatment, fast.
