Repairing Chipped or Broken Teeth
How Do We Chip or Crack Our Teeth?
Enamel, which covers the teeth and is the hardest substance in the human body, has its limits. Chewing on hard candy or ice, biting down too hard, receiving a blow to the face, or grinding your teeth in your sleep could all cause a tooth to chip or crack. Poor hygiene and cavities can also weaken our teeth and make them more susceptible to being chipped or cracked.
A chip or crack might be painless if the damage isn’t severe enough to expose the inner layers. If it’s only in the enamel, a crack might not be noticeable except when biting down hard or when the temperature in your mouth changes. Some cracks aren’t visible to the naked eye. This is why it’s so important to schedule regular appointments with Dr. Fullenkamp; She will be able to identify problems before they become painful.
How to Prevent Cracking or Chipping
It is difficult to completely prevent damage to our teeth, but here are a few ideas that Dr. Fullenkamp suggests to keep it to a minimum:
- Don’t chew on ice, popcorn kernels, pens, hard candy, or other hard objects.
- Don’t clench or grind your teeth.
- If you clench or grind your teeth while sleeping, speak with Dr. Fullenkamp about getting a retainer or mouthguard.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports.
If you would like a closer examination of your teeth, give us a call to schedule a consultation. Call us at (602) 864-7400 or send us an email.