Chipped Tooth:

CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, TREATMENT AND HOME CARE

A cracked or broken tooth can sometimes be small and harmless. Other times, it can cause more severe damage to the tooth. Tooth fractures are most common in children and older people, however, anybody can crack a tooth. In such a case one should immediately seek medical attention by visiting a dental clinic and seeing a dentist in order to avoid further damage.

Don’t panic if you crack your tooth. It is important for you to know that not every tooth breaks the same way —there are a variety of causes and types of tooth trauma.

The following tips will help you deal with your cracked tooth until you are able to visit a dentist.

• Use warm salt water to rinse your mouth
• If bleeding occurs, apply firm pressure using clean gauze
• If your cheek/lip is swollen or in pain, apply a cold compress
• 
  You should schedule a dental appointment to assess the damage and repair it
  
• You can relieve pain with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen

Based on the nature and severity of the tooth fracture, there are many dental treatments that can cure and heal your cracked tooth. Generally, it is possible to repair a small piece of broken enamel in one dentist visit. On the other hand, if the tooth is badly damaged it may require more visits. A dentist might recommend any of the following dental treatments to treat chipped or broken teeth:

Dental Filling:

If you’ve chipped away a small piece of enamel, your dentist may be able to repair the damage by applying a filling.

With minor fractures, your tooth may need only a filling to be repaired. A tooth-colored composite is used to repair the chipped tooth. In some cases, this can be done even without numbing the tooth. First, the dentist roughens the tooth surface and then adds the adhesive. Next, they apply composite material and shape it to look like a natural tooth. Last, the dentist will use ultraviolet light to harden the material and polish the filling.

Dental Crown:

If a large chunk of a tooth breaks off or has a lot of decay, the dentist will first clean the decayed parts of the tooth and prepare to cover the tooth with a crown to improve its appearance and protect it. Firmly cemented into place, the dentist completely encases the tooth for full protection.

A dental Crown helps restore the tooth’s size, shape, strength, and appearance. At German Dental & Neuromuscular Clinic we are using two types of dental crowns depending on the case:

• Full Ceramic crowns which provide a natural color to match the patient’s own teeth
• Or Zirconia crowns which are great for durability and aesthetics

In the event that the pulp is exposed within the tooth, you may develop pulp damage or infection, in this case, the dentist may perform root canal therapy to remove the dead or dying pulp. Following that, he will cap the tooth with a crown.

What causes a chipped tooth?

• Chewing candy or other hard foods
• Eating ice cubes or frozen treats
• Teeth grinding during sleep or Bruxism
• 
  Opening bottles and packaging with the teeth
  
• Misaligned bite
• Poor oral hygiene can cause enamel erosion and weaken the teeth
• Injuries sustained in sports, car accidents, or falls

Symptoms of a chipped tooth:

When a chip is minor and not in the front of your mouth, you may not notice it at all. However, if you do experience symptoms, they may include:

• Your tongue feels jagged when you run it over your teeth
• Gum irritation around the chipped tooth
• Inflammation of your tongue when it catches on a tooth’s uneven and rough edges
• 
  A tooth chip or crack can cause severe pain when bitten, especially if it exposes the nerve or is close to it
  

Here are some tips that help you to maintain a beautiful smile and prevent your teeth from breaking:

• Wear a mouthguard when playing sports
• Wear a Nightguard during sleeping to avoid bruxism
• Strengthen your teeth’ enamel and avoid habits that wear down the enamel, such as biting your nails, chewing sunflower or similar seeds, and chewing ice cubes
• 
  Be cautious of eating unopened popcorn seeds in dark movie theaters – this is one of the main reasons for fracturing even a healthy tooth!
  
• 
  Avoid using your teeth to open things
  
• 
  Practice good oral health habits, including regular dental check-ups and cleanings