Are Chipped Teeth Common?
Chipping a tooth is one of the most common dental injuries among children and adults alike. While it can happen to anyone at any age, older patients may be more susceptible to chipped teeth than they were in their younger years. A chipped tooth is not usually cause for alarm but it should be addressed as soon as possible as a chipped tooth can lead to a larger break in the tooth if not tended as soon as possible, the damage to the tooth will only worsen.
If you find that you are frequently chipping your teeth, you may need to speak to your dentist to see what is causing your teeth to chip or break more easily so that they can help you restore your smile and prevent more chipped teeth down the road. Let’s review some risk factors that can contribute to chipped teeth.
Poor Oral Hygiene and Tooth Decay
When you don't properly care for your teeth with daily brushing and flossing, plaque buildup and the bacteria it harvests can begin to eat away at the enamel of your teeth. The enamel is the hard outer layer that protects your teeth from daily wear and tear. When the protective enamel layer begins to wear down, teeth become more vulnerable to decay and chipping.
Erosion
The asses in the food and beverages that we can zoom on a daily basis can have a damaging effect on tooth enamel as well. Patients that suffer from underlying medical traditions such as acid reflux, Gerd, or bulimia are at a higher risk of decay and enamel erosion that can contribute to chipped teeth.
Poor Nutrition
As acidic and sugary foods can be harmful to the health of your teeth, dairy products and leafy greens that contain calcium and other nutrients are incredibly beneficial to the strength and health of your teeth! Building strong teeth is especially important for children whose teeth are still developing, but adults should also make sure they’re getting enough dietary calcium and vitamins to help protect their teeth.
Malocclusion and Bruxism
Malocclusion is a term that simply means a bad bite. When your teeth are misaligned, they are likely to hit each other when you eat and speak which can lead to a chipped tooth. This is especially problematic if the patient also suffers from bruxism, which is unconscious clenching and grinding that a lot of patients do in their sleep. Bruxism can exacerbate tooth wear and cause chips to happen more frequently.
Genetics and Aging
Unfortunately, the risk of tooth damage increases with age as the enamel naturally wears down over time. Taking care of your teeth regularly can help slow down the rate of wear and tear on your teeth. Genetics can play a role for some patients to simply have weaker teeth. These patients may also be more prone to develop periodontal disease which makes good oral hygiene and proper nutrition all the more important.
Facial Piercings
Piercings in the lip, cheek, or tongue can greatly increase the risk of a tooth being chipped if you get bumped in the mouth or have an accident or fall.
If you have a chipped tooth, reach out and ask us about dental bonding.