Do Teeth Chip With Age?
Chipped teeth is a common problem among patients of all ages but is especially true in older patients. As we age, our teeth become more vulnerable to chips and breaks because the enamel is simply not as strong. Having a chipped tooth can be uncomfortable and can lead to bigger issues if it is not taken care of in a timely manner.
Age isn’t the only thing that causes chipped teeth! Below, we have listed a few factors that can have a negative impact on your dental health and cause chipped teeth.
Additional Causes of Chipped Teeth
Poor oral hygiene that can lead to periodontal disease can have a huge impact on the health and a structural integrity of your teeth. Without proper care and maintenance, daily foods and beverages that we consume wear away at the enamel on our teeth which then leaves teeth more susceptible to chips and breaks.
Nutritious diet is also important in the maintenance of healthy teeth! If you do not get adequate amounts of the important nutrients that your teeth need such as calcium and fluoride, the bacteria in your mouth that breaks down food particles can have a bigger impact on the strength of the teeth. Calcium and fluoride help strengthen and protect your teeth from decay, leaving them more susceptible to chipping since they are not as stable. A tooth with decay can quickly chip simply from eating.
To keep your teeth healthy, make sure to consume enough milk and other dairy products and use a toothpaste containing fluoride. You can also get fluoride from tap water which generally contains all the fluoride your teeth need!
It may seem obvious but chewing on hard things is incredibly harmful to tooth structure. Teeth are designed to bite and chew on natural foods, not ice, hard candy, or fingernails. Teeth are not tools so do not try to open packages or bottles with your teeth!
Another factor that can be detrimental to your teeth and facial structure is grinding your teeth. Bruxism is the unconscious clenching and grinding a lot of us do in our sleep, some people even do it when they are awake without realizing it! Bruxism can cause chipped teeth, broken or fractured teeth, jaw pain, even head and neck pain. Your doctor can provide a custom night guard to help alleviate symptoms of bruxism and relieve resulting pain and protect your teeth.
If you notice that you are suddenly experiencing chipped teeth, speak with your dentist to see if there is an underlying issue that could be causing your chipped teeth. A night guard is a great thing for any patient to use on a regular basis even if they do not grind their teeth. Patients with dental restorations benefit greatly from a night guard to protect their natural teeth and the restorations.
In the event that you did to the tooth, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible even if you're not experiencing any pain or sensitivity. A chipped tooth will only get worse overtime and can even lead to a broken tooth that needs extensive care. Most chips can be repaired with a simple composite bonding treatment to rebuild the tooth structure and protect it from further damage.