Causes of Chipped Teeth: Little Imperfections of Your Smile
Patients in and around Philadelphia can come to Artistic Expressions Dentistry and expect excellent care. That's because we offer great cosmetic dentistry treatments as well as advanced restorative dentistry for basic issues and even dental care emergencies. One such problem that may affect people is a sudden chip of their teeth. Whether minor or major, it's important to have the chipped tooth treated as soon as possible.
Why Chips Should Be Treated By a Dentist
Chips are an aesthetic problem, that's true. Having even just a minor chip on your tooth (particularly your incisors or generally prominent ones) can have a major effect on the look of your smile.
In addition to aesthetic problems, chipped teeth can pose a number of health issues as well. This includes the possibility of weakened or structurally compromised teeth, which can make basic biting and chewing a major matter of concern.
Below are some of the most common causes of chipped teeth to keep in mind.
Contact Sports and Combat Sports
Various contact sports and combat sports can result in damage to the teeth, which includes chips and cracks. This applies to professional athletes, student athletes, and even weekend warriors. Some of the most common sports that lead to chipped teeth include:
- Football
- Hockey
- Rugby
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Boxing
- Amateur wrestling
- Tournament martial arts
- Mixed martial arts (MMA)
Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents and even bicycle accidents can both cause damage to your teeth depending on the nature of your injury. Any major jarring of the body that causes your teeth to chomp down suddenly or any blow to the face can cause chips.
Slips, Falls, and Trips
If you have a major spill of some kind, you may suffer from a chipped tooth, particularly if you land with your face first.
Accidents When Eating
If you chew an unpopped popcorn kernel without expecting it, you can do some major damage to your teeth. The same goes from chewing ice or accidentally biting into a bone.
Physical Assaults
When a person is attacked and suffers any sort of trauma to the face or mouth area, this can potentially lead to a chipped tooth as well as a host of other dental problems.
Treatment Options for Chipped Teeth
The ideal treatment option for a chipped tooth will depend on the extent of the tooth damage. For minor chips predominantly aesthetic in nature, dental bonding and porcelain veneers are ideal options. When the chips are more serious and affect tooth structure, the use of inlays, onlays, and dental crowns is generally more ideal.
Ways to Prevent Chips
Sometimes it's impossible to prevent chipped teeth, but there are a few things you can do to avoid serious injury to your smile:
- Wear a mouth guard when playing contact or combat sports
- Wear a helmet, facemask, or headgear appropriate to the sport that you are playing
- Eat slowly and savor your food
- Do not chew on hard or inedible objects (fingernails, ice, pen caps)
- Wear a helmet when riding a bike or motorcycle to minimize cranial trauma and injury
- Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste to promote strong teeth
- Visit your dentist twice a year for regular checkups
Learn More About General Dental Care Treatments
If you would like to learn more about all of your options for improving your dental health, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. Dr. Bruce Wilderman and his entire team look forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve excellent dental health.