It’s pretty easy to assume that your teeth are indestructible until they demonstrate that they are not. Your pearly whites withstand a lot of stress over decades of grinding, tearing, and ripping food matter, and certain bad habits can leave them with tiny cracks that can leave them vulnerable to serious damage later. Here’s a brief guide to what causes teeth to break as well a what you can do to address the problem.
What Can Break Teeth?
Teeth can break for a wide variety of reasons, and the damage can vary from minor aesthetic issues to immediate risks of tooth loss. A few reasons for teeth to break include:
- Years of wear and tear
- Chewing on especially crunchy foods
- Enamel weakened by acid exposure
- Athletic injuries and other blows to the face
- Using the teeth as tools to open packages or bottles
- Teeth grinding
What Should I Do if My Tooth Breaks?
If there is only a small chip in your tooth, the issue can probably wait for a few days before being addressed. However, damage that causes large sections of dental structure to separate from the tooth or exposes the soft pulp within its inner chamber constitutes a dental emergency that requires immediate care. When you break your tooth, observe the following steps:
- Secure any large pieces you can find and place them in a clean, dry container so you can take them to your dentist’s office.
- Swish warm saltwater about your mouth to remove debris and kill bacteria.
- If you experience pain, you can address it with an ice pack, a cold compress, or over-the-counter pain medication.
- Call your dentist to explain the situation and schedule an emergency appointment.
How Can I Keep My Teeth from Breaking?
Luckily, there are a few easy habits you can adopt to reduce your chances of dental damage. Practicing excellent oral hygiene and seeing your dentist regularly can help you keep your smile healthy and strong, and limiting your consumption of sugary and acidic items can prevent enamel erosion. Wearing a nightguard to bed if you grind your teeth at night or an athletic guard if you play sports can also protect your teeth from much unnecessary stress. It’s also great to simply be mindful about chewing carefully.
Your dentist is trained and equipped to handle a wide range of dental injuries. Contacting your oral health professional when you have a problem can allow you to keep your smile in excellent shape for life.
About the Practice
White Clay Dental offers the finest oral healthcare in Newark. Led by Drs. Donald T. Bond and Timothy D. Ganfield, the staff ensures that each patient receives outstanding courtesy and customer service as well as genuine compassion. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If your tooth is broken, dial (302) 731-4225. If you’d like to know more about protecting your teeth, contact the practice online.