Your teeth are made up of 96% mineral content. Teeth may be the hardest substance in the human body but they can still be damaged.

First, let’s talk about what causes teeth to chip.

Out of all the ways you can chip or crack a tooth, the most common way is from contact sports such as football and hockey. Poor oral hygiene is another large factor that can make a tooth chip. Because it can weaken the enamel and cause the teeth to crack easier. Tooth decay, another side effect of poor oral hygiene, can weaken the tooth as well.

Similarly, a tooth can also be chipped from hard candy and ice. The force of biting down on material that is harder than the tooth can cause part of the tooth to crack. Teeth can also chip away from what is referred to as bruxism. Bruxism is a condition in which the person grinds their teeth and or clenches their jaw subconsciously. This can occur during the day or sleep.

Preventing damage to your teeth.

It is important to take precautions of preventing your teeth from chipping or cracking. The most effective thing that you can do is wear a mouth guard while playing contact sports. Mouth guards, sometimes called mouth protectors, help reduce the impact of an object when hit in the mouth. There are also different types of mouth guards that are used to reduce teeth grinding that you can wear in your sleep.

The easiest way you can reduce your chances of chipping your tooth is by keeping up with your dental hygiene. This includes brushing and flossing every day and routinely seeing your dentist. Do not forget to follow your orthodontist’s guidelines on what foods to avoid. Avoiding hard and sticky foods can prevent tooth damage.

Receiving braces with a chipped tooth.

If you currently have a chipped tooth, you may be wondering if you can still receive braces treatment. The short answer is yes. But this is something that you will need to discuss during your exam. Your orthodontist may recommend that you have your tooth restored before starting treatment if the chip or crack is severe enough. It is better to resolve these issues before treatment. Because if they worsen and need to be fixed during treatment, it will make the process more difficult.

If such a situation were to occur, your orthodontist may need to work with your dentist in order to restore the tooth, making things more complicated. If you do not want to address the damaged tooth, your orthodontist may recommend clear aligners as a better option. This will allow your dentist to easily do any work on your teeth while in treatment. Do not let a chipped tooth discourage you from starting orthodontic treatment. If the damage is not severe, chances are high that it will not affect your orthodontic treatment.

Damaging teeth during treatment.

If you have chipped a tooth during treatment, it is only a dental emergency if the chip is large enough that it has displaced a filling or broken in the dental appliance. If you do not feel any tenderness or pain after chipping a tooth, it is most likely not an emergency. If you have had a tooth knocked out, this would be considered an emergency and you should receive dental attention immediately.

Rinse your mouth with warm water and call your dentist as soon as possible to set up an emergency appointment. After you have received immediate attention, contact your orthodontist to inform them of the incident. Your orthodontist may make adjustments to your treatment schedule such as moving up your next appointment.

Why is it important to repair a cracked tooth?

It is important to address a cracked tooth because it can affect the pulp of the tooth which can lead to infections and extreme tooth sensitivity. If a crack worsens, it could lead to a root canal or extraction. It is important to take precautions when going through orthodontic treatment. But we understand that accidents happen.

Hope this helped. If you have any questions, leave your comments below.