What is a chipped tooth?
A chipped tooth happens when the tooth cracks and separates, leaving a section of tooth missing. Chipped teeth can be sore and may affect your smile. If you are struggling with a chipped tooth, contact your dentist and make an appointment.
What causes a chipped tooth?
- A tooth can chip following accident or injury.
- Biting on hard / crunchy foods.
- Grinding or clenching your teeth frequently.
- Dental caries can cause the enamel to weaken, which can lead the tooth to chip.
- Problems with your bite which can result in ‘interferences’ when chewing.
How to prevent a chipped tooth?
Chipped teeth are usually quite tricky to anticipate, however, some causes can be prevented. Here’s what we suggest:
- Brushing your teeth and flossing twice a day, for no less than 2 minutes, using fluoride toothpaste.
- When playing sports, consider using a mouth guard.
- Contact your dentist if you believe you could be clenching or grinding your teeth. This typically happens when sleeping, and you may benefit from having a custom-made mouthguard, also known as a ‘splint’.
- You may benefit from orthodontic treatment to reposition your teeth. Crowded teeth does not directly result in chipping, but certain bite relationships may put you at higher risk of trauma, such as an increased overjet.
How to treat a chipped tooth?
Chipped teeth can only be fixed by the dentist. If you are struggling with a chipped tooth, contact your dentist. Your dentist may reconstruct the chipped section of a tooth with a filling substance or file the tooth down to have a smoother surface. However, depending on the severity and location of the damage, your dentist may place a crown to protect the existing damage.
How to spot a chipped tooth/ symptoms?
A chipped tooth is somewhat easy to notice when on the front teeth, however when a chip occurs on the premolars and molars, you may need to rely on the feeling rather than your sight. Here are some of the ways to identify a chipped tooth.
- A noticeable amount of tooth is missing from a tooth which previously had no damage.
- Sharp edge to a filling or tooth.
- Pain when biting.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
We strongly advise you to contact Colosseum Dental to book an appointment, as chipped teeth cannot be properly treated at home.