Emergency Dentist Discusses Common Causes of Chipped Teeth

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body — but that does not make it invincible. In fact, it is brittle enough that it can easily break if it faces a hard impact. To keep your smile intact, it is important that you take precautions to avoid accidents that might chip your teeth. An emergency dentist in Savannah is here to give you some guidance on how to prevent chipped teeth and what you should do if you accidentally damage one of your precious pearly whites.

Causes of Chipped Teeth

Some of the most common causes of chipped teeth include:

• Biting down on hard substances. Ice and
  hard candy are often the culprits behind chipped teeth. You are also putting
  yourself at risk if you use your teeth as a tool to open packages.
• Falls or car accidents. Try your best to
  be aware of your surroundings and avoid hazards that might damage your teeth.
• Sports incidents. Do you love to get your
  game on? No matter what sport you are playing, your risk of suffering dental
  damage will go down dramatically if you wear a custom mouthguard.
• Bruxism (habitual teeth grinding). Many
  people grind their teeth at night. A nightguard from your dentist can help to prevent
  the damage that results from bruxism.

Keep Your Teeth Strong to Prevent Chips

As mentioned above, taking a few simply precautions in your daily life can do a lot to minimize your risk of chipping a tooth. You can further protect your smile by doing all you can to strengthen your tooth enamel. Strong, thick enamel is more likely to be able to endure the rigors of everyday life. Here are some tips to help you keep your enamel as healthy as possible:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a
  fluoride-containing toothpaste. Fluoride is a mineral that helps to fortify
  and restore tooth enamel.
• Watch out for acids. Foods and beverages
  with a lot of acid in them — such as soda and citrus fruits — can weaken your
  enamel. Try to limit your consumption of such substances. Another source of
  acid is acid reflux; if you have this condition, consult with your doctor to
  find an appropriate treatment.
• Say no to sugar. Sugar interacts with
  bacteria in your mouth, leading to acid production. Do your best to minimize
  the amount of sugar in your diet.
• Visit your dentist. Your dentist and
  dental hygienist can give you personalized tips and product recommendations
  that will help you safeguard your tooth enamel.

What if You Chip a Tooth?

Despite your best efforts to protect your teeth, you may still end up chipping one of them. When that occurs, visit your emergency dentist right away. In some cases, a chipped tooth is a purely cosmetic issue. In other cases, however, the break may be bad enough that it leads to a severe toothache in Savannah and a dental infection. The sooner you have a professional evaluate the damage to your tooth, the sooner you can get back on the road to dental health.

About the Author

Dr. Charles Fana is a general dentist in Savannah who has been serving our community since 1997. He is often able to see emergency patients on the same day they call in. If you ever need urgent dental treatment, or you have questions about how to care for your teeth and gums, contact
our office at 912-352-3955.