What To Do When You Have Chipped Teeth

Chipped Teeth

In the myriad of dental issues you could face, chipped teeth are one of those situations that can go from bad to worse in no time. From a minor inconvenience, a crack in your tooth can become a source of actual physical pain, one that makes you seek your local and trusted dentist as soon as you can.

Unfortunately, some people are unaware they have cracks in their teeth that could become an unpleasant dental condition tomorrow. On the other hand, many of us decide to ignore this problem until the toothache appears. That’s why we decided to share everything you need to know about chipped teeth and how to prevent it from happening.

The Causes of a Chipped Tooth

Not many people know that teeth are not made from bone. While they look and feel similar, teeth are made of several layers, one of which is called enamel. The enamel layer lies on the surface of the teeth, and it serves as a protection for a much softer tissue that lies underneath, like dentin and pulp. The firmness of enamel comes from calcium phosphate. Enamel, however, is not made of living tissue like bone is. Living tissue can regenerate, while enamel just wears away and things out over time.

And when this happens, our teeth suddenly become prone to chipping. It can occur when something hits us in the mouth or when we bite down on hard candy. However, it mostly happens when the tooth is decayed because its structural integrity is compromised, weakening the tooth. But no matter how someone chipped their tooth, they should seek attention from their dentist as soon as possible.

Chipped Teeth Complications

Leaving the painless chipped tooth untended is something we have all done once or twice. And just like that, we learned how one could go from a simple crack in a tooth to losing the tooth altogether. 

It is imperative to note that the teeth at the back of your mouth can develop many complications if chipped but not treated. Their primary role is chewing, and a person can be faced with difficulties when eating and be prone to cutting their inner cheek with sharp edges. 

The biggest problem is that a chipped tooth continues to ‘chip’ away. Portions of your tooth may fall out one by one and expose the inner part of the tooth to heat, cold and food. This is when the pain starts.

On the other hand, your tooth may chip away below the gum line, which in turn may cause an infection.

How To Treat a Chipped Tooth

There are different methods to treating a chipped tooth, and it all depends on the level of breakage. 

  • If it’s a smaller chip, no grand interventions are needed. The tooth is simply filed and reshaped, and this can be done without any sedation. In cases where filing can get the desirable results, a dentist may use a bonding material, give it time to cure and then reshape the tooth to match the rest.
  • For medium-sized chips where even the bonding agent can’t help, the dentist would clean the tooth and attach a cap to protect the tooth. Depending on the location of the chip, clip-on veneers could be a possible solution. Not only are these types of veneers suitable for fixing a chipped tooth, but they are also a great way to cover teeth discolouration, misshapen teeth, or wide gaps. The results are aesthetically pleasing while giving your teeth the protection they need.
  • The larger chips will most likely require a higher-level treatment. Because this kind of tooth injury can damage the vital parts of the tooth, saving the tooth and its function is what every dentist wants to do. However, sometimes large chips lead to root canal treatments, crowns or even tooth extraction, all of which are extremely painful and costly procedures.

How To Prevent Chipping Your Teeth

Preventing your teeth from getting so weak they become prone to chipping is done with good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth regularly, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly are all excellent ways to keep your teeth strong and healthy. 

Still, be careful when you consume hard candy or any other type of hard food. If you tend to chew pencils or nails when stressed, make sure to keep this habit at a minimum. If you are a professional athlete, always wear a protective mouth gear.

Buy Clip On Veneers for your Chipped Teeth

Clip on veneers are a great way to safely and quickly hide chipped teeth so you don’t feel as self-conscious. By using our high quality Clip on veneers you can quickly cover chipped teeth in an affordable and pain-free way. We have had literally thousands of reviews from happy customers so view our online shop and get yours today!