How to Avoid Getting Chipped Teeth

SHREWSBURY, Mass. - Sept. 9, 2015 - PRLog -- No one wants to damage a healthy smile, but it can happen. Life's little accidents can result in chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. The good news is that state-of-the-art advances in dental technology have made it possible to repair or replace damaged or missing teeth with pretty seamless results. New materials and procedures have made it possible to match tooth color and shape to restore a smile to its former state.

But wouldn't we all rather avoid tooth damage in the first place?

Accidents happen even when we do everything to avoid them. While there might not be much one can do about an accident or injury, there are plenty of ways to curtail habits that can result in a chipped tooth.

Teeth grinding (bruxism) that occurs during sleep can wear teeth down or even fracture them. Your dentist can identify signs of the wear and tear that chronic bruxism can cause and can also provide guidance about how to prevent it. In some cases, this might involve wearing a mouth guard at night.

Teeth can also be chipped by habits like nail biting, biting on pencils, and even crunching on certain hard foods like ice cubes. By avoiding these behaviors, your teeth will be safer.

Chipped teeth can also occur when proper mouth protection isn't worn while playing sports. A properly fitted mouth guard can help avoid not only chipped teeth, but also other mouth injuries and even head trauma. If you or your child plays sports, talk to your coach and dentist about the correct type of mouth protection. Your dentist will be able to create a custom guard using molds of your teeth.

But as I noted, accidents do happen. So if you do chip a tooth, it should be addressed immediately. Make sure to schedule a dental visit even if it isn't too painful or visible. If it is serious, you may need to seek emergency care and follow up with your dentist later on. Only a dentist can determine whether the damage is merely cosmetic or whether it indicates more serious tooth damage that could result in further complications.

Would you like to know more? Visit www.SmileShrewsbury.com, www.smileandover.com, and www.smilesbystiles.com for more information.