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 caneasily break if it faces a hard impact. To keep your smile intact, it isimportant that you take precautions to avoid accidents that might chip yourteeth. An emergencydentist in Savannah is here to give you some guidance on how to preventchipped teeth and what you should do if you accidentally damage one of yourprecious pearly whites.
Causes of Chipped Teeth
Some of the most common causes of chipped teeth include:
- Biting down on hard substances. Ice andhard candy are often the culprits behind chipped teeth. You are also puttingyourself at risk if you use your teeth as a tool to open packages.
- Falls or car accidents. Try your best tobe aware of your surroundings and avoid hazards that might damage your teeth.
- Sports incidents. Do you love to get yourgame on? No matter what sport you are playing, your risk of suffering dentaldamage will go down dramatically if you wear a custom mouthguard.
- Bruxism (habitual teeth grinding). Manypeople grind their teeth at night. A nightguard from your dentist can help to preventthe damage that results from bruxism.
Keep Your Teeth Strong to Prevent Chips
As mentioned above, taking a few simply precautions in yourdaily life can do a lot to minimize your risk of chipping a tooth. You canfurther protect your smile by doing all you can to strengthen your toothenamel. Strong, thick enamel is more likely to be able to endure the rigors ofeveryday life. Here are some tips to help you keep your enamel as healthy aspossible:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with afluoride-containing toothpaste. Fluoride is a mineral that helps to fortifyand restore tooth enamel.
- Watch out for acids. Foods and beverageswith a lot of acid in them — such as soda and citrus fruits — can weaken yourenamel. Try to limit your consumption of such substances. Another source ofacid is acid reflux; if you have this condition, consult with your doctor tofind an appropriate treatment.
- Say no to sugar. Sugar interacts withbacteria in your mouth, leading to acid production. Do your best to minimizethe amount of sugar in your diet.
- Visit your dentist. Your dentist anddental hygienist can give you personalized tips and product recommendationsthat will help you safeguard your tooth enamel.
What if You Chip a Tooth?
Despite your best efforts to protect your teeth, you maystill end up chipping one of them. When that occurs, visit your emergencydentist 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 severetoothache in Savannah and a dental infection. The sooner you have aprofessional evaluate the damage to your tooth, the sooner you can get back onthe 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, contactour office at 912-352-3955.
