Several issues may cause chipped teeth. You may see or feel a chipped tooth while looking in the mirror or running your tongue across your teeth. If you do, don’t wait and wonder, “Why are my teeth chipping?”
Mark L. Civin, DDS, P.A., the top dentist in Palm Beach Gardens, can help. Schedule an appointment with our office today to diagnose your dental issues and get a treatment plan.
Common Causes of Chipping Teeth
Direct Impact on the Tooth
Sometimes, the cause of a broken or chipped tooth is obvious. If you sustain an injury from a fall, accident, assault, playing a sport, or biting down on hard food, you may chip or crack a tooth.
Weakened Enamel
Tooth enamel is the outer protective surface of the tooth. Weakened enamel makes our teeth susceptible to cracking, chipping, and fracture.
Poor oral hygiene is the most common reason for weak enamel. Tooth decay and cavities weaken the enamel over time. You may be unaware of the problem until you notice dental changes and ask, “Why are my teeth chipping?”
Large Fillings
While large fillings mitigate damage caused by tooth decay, they also weaken the tooth’s integrity, which may lead to chipping over time. Scheduling regular dental visits allows you to monitor your fillings and replace them when necessary.
Acidic Foods
If you regularly eat acidic foods, you risk damaging your tooth enamel. The most consumed enamel-weakening culprits include the following:
- Sugar in all forms, including honey, maple syrup, and candy
- Juice, both naturally sweetened and sugar-added
- Citrus fruit
- Coffee
- Alcoholic beverages
- Spicy foods
Teeth Grinding
If you practice good oral hygiene and still wonder, “Why are my teeth chipping?”, you may be grinding your teeth. Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is the involuntary habit of clenching and grinding your teeth together. Depending on its severity, bruxism can cause jaw pain, toothaches, headaches, enamel erosion, and chipped or broken teeth.
Age-Related Damage
Tooth enamel thins and weakens after the age of 50. For those over 50 suffering from teeth grinding, breaks and cracks tend to happen more frequently. For individuals with missing teeth, the surrounding teeth endure more wear and tear during chewing, which may result in cracks and chips.
How to Prevent Chipped Teeth
Proper oral hygiene is the cornerstone for strong teeth that are less susceptible to chipping and cracking. Brush and floss your teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste and alcohol-free dental rinse. If you play sports or grind your teeth, you can protect your tooth enamel by wearing a mouth guard.
Practicing healthy eating habits and avoiding acidic, sugary foods keeps your enamel strong and prevents your teeth from chipping.
Let Dr. Civin assist you in protecting your teeth from cracks and chips. Preventative treatments such as twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings will catch problems early on. Dental procedures such as Invisalign orthodontics, fillings, and crowns can also prevent issues that lead to tooth decay and chipped teeth.
Treatments for Chipped Teeth
Dr. Civin can repair chipped and broken teeth utilizing a variety of treatments, depending on the severity of the damage. To correct a minor chip in the tooth, Dr. Civin smooths and polishes the tooth to even out its appearance. More substantial damage may require a porcelain veneer, inlay, composite resin filling, or dental crown.
Contact Us
If you’re wondering, “Why are my teeth chipping?”, contact Dr. Mark L. Civin, DDS, P.A., immediately. Waiting to correct a chipped tooth will lead to more serious dental problems in the future. Though a chipped tooth may signify various issues, our dental practice in Palm Beach Gardens, FL has the expertise, resources, and technology to restore your teeth and smile.
Contact our team online or call us today at (561) 624-2224 to schedule an appointment. Keep reading our blog if you suspect your chipped tooth stems from tooth grinding.
