🦷 Chipped Teeth
A chipped tooth is when a part of the tooth’s enamel or structure breaks off due to trauma or wear. It’s a common dental injury that can range from a small cosmetic flaw to a significant break affecting tooth function.
🧑⚕️ Causes:
- Trauma or injury (falls, sports, accidents)
- Biting hard foods or objects (ice, nuts, hard candy)
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Tooth decay weakening the enamel
- Aging and natural wear
🩺 Symptoms:
- Visible chip or crack on the tooth
- Sharp or rough edge felt with the tongue
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods/drinks
- Pain or discomfort if the chip exposes the tooth’s dentin or nerve
- Sometimes no pain if only enamel is affected
🔍 Diagnosis:
- Dental exam including:
- Visual inspection
- X-rays (to check for deeper damage or root involvement)
💊 Treatment Options:
- Minor chips (enamel only):
- Smoothing and polishing the chipped area
- Dental bonding (tooth-colored resin)
- Moderate chips:
- Dental bonding or veneers to restore shape and appearance
- Large chips or cracks exposing dentin or pulp:
- Dental crowns
- Root canal therapy if nerve is damaged
- In severe cases, extraction may be needed
🧼 Aftercare:
- Avoid chewing hard foods on the affected side
- Maintain good oral hygiene
- Use a mouthguard if prone to grinding or during sports
⚠️ When to see a dentist immediately:
- Severe pain
- Large chip with sharp edges cutting inside of the mouth
- Tooth looks loose or displaced
- Signs of infection (swelling, pus, fever)