The enamel that covers the teeth is the hardest and most highly mineralized tissue in the human body. However, even its strength has limits.
A fall, a blow to the face, or biting down on something hard—especially if the tooth is already affected by tooth decay—may cause a tooth to chip.
If you have chipped a tooth, do not panic. A dentist can correct this problem and restore your tooth.
Why Do Teeth Break and Chip?
Teeth usually break or chip when they are affected by tooth decay or when a person suffers from bruxism (teeth grinding during sleep).
Below are some of the reasons why teeth may break or chip.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Strong tooth enamel requires a variety of minerals and vitamins. A deficiency of vitamin A may contribute to brittle teeth. In addition, vitamin D deficiency reduces the absorption of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for strong enamel.
Nutrient deficiencies may result from eating disorders or an unhealthy diet in general. Certain medications may also interfere with the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients.
Acidic Foods
Eating disorders may be associated with acid erosion of the enamel if a person vomits frequently or regularly chews pieces of lemon.
Other conditions that expose the teeth to acid and weaken enamel include:
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);
- severe morning sickness;
- excessive consumption of sugary foods and beverages (especially carbonated drinks);
- dry mouth and dehydration.
Age-Related Changes
As people age, the amount of fluid reaching the tooth enamel decreases. Dry enamel is less durable and more prone to damage. Older teeth are also exposed to acidic substances for a longer period, eventually resulting in thinner and more brittle enamel.
How to Care for a Chipped or Broken Tooth
If your tooth is broken or chipped, see your dentist as soon as possible. Otherwise, the tooth may sustain further damage or become infected, which could ultimately lead to tooth loss.
Before you can see a dentist, however, you should relieve the pain and protect both the tooth and the inside of your mouth to prevent further injury.
To do so, follow these recommendations:
- Rinse your mouth immediately with warm water to clean the area.
- Apply a cold compress to your cheek to reduce swelling.
- You may take over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications, but make sure you do not exceed the recommended dosage.
- If you can find the broken piece of the tooth, wrap it in damp gauze and bring it with you to the dentist.
- Do not rub the injured area or remove any tissue fragments from the site of the injury.
- Avoid chewing on the side of the damaged tooth.
- Try to see a dentist within 30 minutes.
Dental Injuries That Do and Do Not Require Treatment
Although teeth are the strongest structures in the human body, they can still be damaged by factors such as bacteria or trauma.
The hard outer layer of the tooth is called enamel. Calcium gives enamel its white color. Beneath the enamel lies a softer layer of yellowish tissue known as dentin, which makes up the majority of the tooth. The innermost layer of the tooth is called the pulp. It has a reddish-pink color and contains the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels.
A fractured tooth may expose the dentin or even the pulp. If you break a tooth, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. The sooner treatment begins, the greater the chance that the tooth can be saved.
According to a 2015 article published in the European Journal of Dentistry, the mandibular molars are the teeth most commonly affected by fractures, likely because their pointed cusps exert significant force against the grooves of the maxillary molars during chewing.
However, any tooth may be damaged as a result of trauma.
Deep cracks may extend into the root or run from the center of the tooth into the pulp chamber, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
Cracks may not always be visible. They can remain hidden within the tooth or beneath the gum line. The deeper and wider the crack, the more extensive and complex the treatment is likely to be.
A dentist can determine the extent of the damage by examining the tooth under magnification, performing a bite test, and taking dental X-rays.
Cracks That May Not Require Treatment
Not every crack or chip is severe enough to require treatment. Small cracks that affect only the enamel are relatively common.
However, in most cases, it is still advisable to visit a dentist, as it is very difficult to determine on your own how deep the damage extends.
There are no effective home remedies that can prevent further damage to a cracked tooth or the surrounding oral tissues. In addition, the sharp edges of a cracked tooth may cut the soft tissues of the mouth, leading to increased pain, infection, and potentially more extensive and costly treatment.
Cracks That Require Prompt Treatment
Many types of dental injuries require emergency treatment. For example, if a tooth has been completely knocked out, you should try to locate it and see a dentist immediately.
A dental emergency also includes situations involving severe bleeding or intense pain.
Chipped Tooth
If the damage is minor, the dentist may simply polish the surface or smooth the broken or jagged edge. This procedure is known as cosmetic tooth recontouring.
If the defect is slightly larger and cannot be corrected by polishing alone, the dentist may restore the tooth with a composite restoration. The extent of the restoration depends on the severity of the damage.
This procedure can usually be completed in a single dental visit.
Root Canal Treatment
A crack or chip that extends beyond the surface of the tooth requires more comprehensive treatment. In some cases, the crack may extend into the pulp, making root canal treatment necessary.
During the procedure, the dentist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, disinfects the inside of the tooth, then fills and seals it with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. The tooth is then restored with either a filling or a dental crown.
Dental crowns are most commonly made of ceramic.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are used to restore damaged front teeth. A thin ceramic or composite shell is bonded to the front surface of the tooth to restore its appearance and conceal the damage.
Surgery
Molars have more than one root. If only one root is damaged, a root amputation may be performed to preserve the remaining part of the tooth. This procedure is known as hemisection.
Sometimes, root canal treatment cannot save the tooth. The deeper the crack, the more likely it is that the dentist will recommend extracting the tooth.
A dentist may also recommend extraction if the crack extends below the gum line.
A missing tooth can be replaced and gaps in the mouth can be restored with dental implants.
Risks
If a broken tooth is left untreated, bacteria may accumulate inside the damaged area, leading to infection or the formation of a dental abscess.
A broken tooth may also damage the dental pulp and nerves, eventually making root canal treatment or even removal of the nerve necessary.
To reduce the risk of nerve damage, avoid chewing on the affected side and refrain from putting excessive pressure on the tooth. Seek dental care as soon as possible.
A broken tooth is considered a dental emergency and requires prompt professional treatment.
Complications of a Cracked Tooth
Perhaps the most serious complication of a cracked tooth is an infection that can spread to the surrounding bone and gum tissues.
Symptoms of a dental infection (also known as a tooth abscess) may include:
- fever;
- pain when chewing;
- swollen gums;
- sensitivity to hot and cold;
- bad breath.
Prevention
Although you cannot treat a cracked tooth at home, you can take steps to reduce the risk of it happening.
Strong, healthy teeth are less likely to crack, so be sure to maintain good oral hygiene:
- brush your teeth twice a day;
- visit your dentist every six months for preventive check-ups;
- avoid chewing hard foods;
- always wear a mouthguard when participating in contact sports, and wear a night guard if you grind your teeth while sleeping.
If you have broken or injured a tooth, seek emergency dental care from the specialists at Yarema Dental.
This article does not replace a medical consultation. For complete and personalized information, please consult your dentist.