4 Common Causes of a Chipped Tooth

Wondering whether dentists can treat a chipped tooth? Read on to learn more about common causes and treatments for chipped teeth. Many people find themselves dealing with a chipped tooth at some point in their lives. Depending on the severity of the damage, the chip might cause tooth pain and increased sensitivity. It almost always impacts the appearance of someone's smile regardless of the condition of the rest of their teeth.

A chipped tooth always requires treatment regardless of how minor it is. A tooth becoming chipped means it loses some of the protection provided by its enamel (its outer protective cover), which means it becomes more vulnerable to further damage. The damage also weakens the tooth’s structure, increases the risk of further damage moving forward.

4 Common chipped tooth causes

Here are some of the factors that often lead to a tooth becoming chipped:

1. Tooth decay

Tooth decay is the most common reason people seek dental care, and the acids made by the combination of bacteria in the mouth and food debris cause it. These acids eat away at tooth structures, weakening them and creating tiny holes called cavities.

Decay can weaken a tooth to the point that a part of it chips off when the tooth is exposed to bite forces during a meal.

2. Trauma to the face

A tooth can also become chipped due to a hard blow to the face. This can be the result of an accident like a slip or hard contact during contact sports. Depending on the severity of the blow, the damage can end up affecting parts of the tooth below the gumline, like its roots.

3. A bad bite

A bad bite causes some teeth to deal with greater forces than what they are designed for. As a result, these teeth are gradually weakened until parts of their structures break away. An issue like a bad bite will continue to place unnatural stress on some teeth until the patient’s bite issues are addressed.

4. Bad habits

A tooth can become chipped due to bad habits like nail-biting, chewing on ice, or teeth grinding. A dentist can help with habits like teeth grinding by providing patients with appliances like nightguards. A nightguard reduces the pressure placed on teeth due to teeth grinding, reducing the risk of their structures breaking apart.

Some of the treatments a dentist might recommend for a chipped tooth include:

• Composite bonding: This involves rebuilding the patient’s tooth with a composite resin. It is a non-invasive process that can be completed in as little as 45 minutes
• Veneers: These are tooth-shaped shells that can be used to cover up imperfections caused by chips. They are typically recommended for minor chips that only affect the front part of the tooth being treated
• Crowns: These restorations cover up the visible part of a tooth, and they are usually recommended for severe chips

Ready to schedule an appointment?

Dealing with a chipped or damaged tooth? Call or visit our Rockville dental clinic to explore treatment options.

Request an appointment here: https://whiteflintfamilydental.com or call White Flint Family Dental at (301) 273-1085 for an appointment in our Rockville office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth in Rockville, MD.