Patients of any age can experience a chipped tooth due to poor oral hygiene, poor nutrition, or even age. A chipped tooth does not necessarily constitute an emergency, but it is important to have it addressed by your dentist as soon as possible to avoid any further damage. A chip will not repair itself; it will need to be fixed by your dentist!
Chipped Teeth In Older Patients
Very young patients often experience chipped teeth because they are so active, which can leave them more susceptible to bumping their mouth and chipping a tooth. Older patients are more susceptible to chipping a tooth because, as we age, the hard outer enamel naturally begins to weaken.
Good nutrition is always an important part of staying healthy and providing your body with the nutrients that it needs to stay strong. As we get older and our teeth begin to become more susceptible to damage, it is very important to maintain a healthy diet that consists of dairy products or leafy greens containing calcium to help maintain oral health.
Good oral hygiene is another major factor in the health of our teeth. Some older patients can have a hard time properly flossing and brushing their teeth, which can lead to plaque and bacteria buildup and chipped teeth. Oral hygiene also impacts our overall health, so when patients begin to neglect hygiene practices and do not maintain a healthy diet, teeth and systemic health can be negatively impacted.
Other Causes of Chipped Teeth
A lot of patients are guilty of using their teeth as tools to open a package or a bottle, but this is almost guaranteed to cause a chipped tooth. Patients who bite their nails or chew on very hard items like a pen or even some snacks are at a higher risk of chipping a tooth. Also, patients who have facial piercings can cause damage to their tooth enamel when the jewelry knocks against their teeth whenever they eat or speak.
Another issue that a lot of patients have is bruxism, which is the unconscious clenching and/or grinding of the teeth that many patients do in their sleep. As you can imagine, the extreme pressure put on the teeth when clenching or grinding can cause damage not only to the teeth, but to the gum tissue and any dental restorations. Your dentist can make a custom night guard for you, which can help to greatly alleviate any pressure on the teeth, and it can also help relieve symptoms of bruxism, such as jaw pain and headaches.
Most of the time, a chipped tooth can be smoothed out in one quick visit to the dentist, but sometimes, the more severe chip may need to be restored with composite bonding or even a crown or a veneer. It is important to see your dentist if you chip a tooth, regardless of the lack of symptoms. A small chip can quickly turn into a break or fracture that can be extremely painful and much more costly to fix.
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