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Your teeth are the hardest part in your body \u2013 even harder than bone! But like bones, they\u2019re not impervious to damage. Coating each tooth is a layer of enamel that helps keep the more sensitive parts of your teeth protected from bacteria and decay. But when you experience a chipped tooth or cracked tooth enamel, your teeth become vulnerable.<\/p>\n
The ways you can crack your teeth are endless. Injury isn\u2019t the only cause, either! It may come as a surprise, but you can cause damage to your teeth with some common behaviors that most of us do every day.<\/p>\n
Cracked tooth enamel and small chips are very common dental injuries. Accidents and injuries aren\u2019t the only way to damage your teeth, either! Here are some of the most likely ways you may crack your teeth and how to avoid them:<\/p>\n
While you may think of cracked teeth as the result of an impact, chronic teeth grinding is one of the more common causes. Whether it\u2019s stress or bruxism that causes your teeth to grind, the damage to your enamel can be serious.<\/p>\n
Any time your teeth grind together, you wear away at the enamel that covers the surface. Without it, your teeth are more susceptible to decay. The weakened enamel even increases your chance to chip your tooth with further grinding or injury!<\/p>\n
If you think you\u2019re unconsciously grinding your teeth, schedule an appointment with Pointe Dental Group<\/a> to find out about your options to protect your dental health!<\/p>\n Will you do anything to get all the groceries inside in one trip, including holding a bag with your teeth? Do you often open bags or bottles with your teeth? While your teeth may seem handy, they are not designed to be used as tools.<\/p>\n Bottles or other hard objects can directly chip your teeth. Carrying bags in your teeth causes you to clench and grind.<\/p>\n Take that second trip, or find a bottle opener. The long-term damage to your teeth isn\u2019t worth the few seconds you\u2019ll save now.<\/p>\n Piercings are becoming increasingly popular, and tongue piercings are not an exception. Any piercing in your mouth comes with inherent risks \u2013 after all, there\u2019s plenty of bacteria. But infection isn\u2019t your only worry.<\/p>\n Most tongue piercings are metal. If your piercing comes in consistent contact with your teeth, it can cause damage. Accidental contact is hard to avoid \u2013 but most people with piercings tend to play with them.<\/p>\n If you have a piercing, keep it from touching your teeth as much as possible. Don\u2019t click it or bite it. Even if it\u2019s not metal, it can cause damage.<\/p>\n Metal isn\u2019t the only object that can hurt your teeth. Some common foods contain pits, kernels or bones that shouldn\u2019t be bitten. They\u2019re not just uncomfortable to bite down on, they can cause permanent enamel damage. Some of the most common offenders are:<\/p>\n Do your best to avoid chewing these, and be careful when eating any food that contains hard, inedible objects like bones.<\/p>\n Unsurprisingly, playing sports puts you at greater risk for injuries \u2013 including dental ones. What is<\/em> surprising, however, is that non-contact sports account for a significant number of chipped or broken teeth<\/a>. This includes sports like basketball, soccer and baseball.<\/p>\n Why? Because they don\u2019t require mouth guards. Accidental contact is common. Because it\u2019s not part of the game, many athletes won\u2019t wear mouth protection. This means one collision or fall onto the hard ground can do major damage.<\/p>\n Even if your sport is non-contact, wear a mouth guard. <\/strong>Pointe Dental Group can fit a custom mouth guard for you<\/a> at both our Shelby Township and Grosse Pointe Farms locations. These fit more comfortably and offer far better protection than store-bought mouth guards.<\/p>\n Do you think you may have cracked tooth enamel? If you do, you likely have one of these symptoms:<\/p>\n If the pain is constant, it may not be a cracked tooth. When you crack a tooth, you typically only feel pain when the nerves are contacted by food or water. Either way, a quick trip to your dentist can help you identify the source of your pain!<\/p>\n The treatment options for a cracked tooth or cracked tooth enamel are varied. They often depend on the severity of the damage.<\/p>\n For minor chips or cracks, dental bonding is an option. Bonding is a procedure that uses a special composite to repair gaps or chips in your teeth. With proper care, bonding can last up to 10 years! This option is relatively simple, and only requires anesthetic if applied to a cavity.<\/p>\n Small cracks or chips can be repaired using a thin laminate that bonds directly to your teeth known as a veneer. Often used as a cosmetic fix for discolored teeth or to close gaps, they are easy for your dentist to apply and can dramatically improve the appearance of your teeth.<\/p>\n The lifespan of a veneer depends on how well you take care of it. However, you\u2019ll eventually need to replace the veneer no matter what. With excellent care, you can expect to have your veneer last for several years.<\/p>\n When your tooth is more damaged than a minor chip, you will likely need a crown. They\u2019re the most common treatment for cracked teeth.<\/p>\n These caps cover your damaged tooth and are cemented into place. In addition to protecting the tooth, they also help improve the appearance. Most crowns are made of tooth-colored materials like porcelain to give an appearance and feel like your natural teeth.<\/p>\n A cracked tooth sometimes extends all the way to the pulp of your tooth. If this happens, you\u2019ll need a root canal procedure<\/a>. Your dentist will drill into your tooth to remove pulp and the nerve. After sealing the tooth, you\u2019ll typically have a crown placed to help maintain the integrity of the tooth.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not uncommon for patients to be afraid of a root canal. Unlike what you may have heard, a root canal shouldn\u2019t hurt at all. Modern dental practices and the use of local anesthetic<\/a> means that the procedure will be as painless as most other visits.<\/p>\n In some cases, even a root canal isn\u2019t enough to salvage a tooth. If you suffer a cracked tooth that extends below the gum line, there\u2019s nothing that can be done to save it. In this case, your dentist will recommend an extraction and dental implant.<\/p>\n Implants replace your tooth completely. They look and feel like natural teeth and are a great solution to missing teeth.<\/p>\n Find the answers to frequently asked questions about dental implants here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The dental professionals at Pointe Dental Group can examine your tooth and recommend the best treatment option for you.\u00a0Schedule an appointment<\/a>\u00a0with our dentists in today!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Grosse Pointe Farms: (313) 881-2480<\/p>\n Shelby Township: (586) 803-8300<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss a thing! Connect with us on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Quit Using Your Teeth as Tools<\/h3>\n
Be Careful with Tongue Piercings<\/h3>\n
Biting Down on Hard Foods & Objects<\/h3>\n
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Athletic Injuries<\/h3>\n
How to Identify a Cracked Tooth<\/h2>\n
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Treatment Options for Cracked Teeth & Tooth Enamel<\/h2>\n
Dental Bonding<\/h3>\n
Veneers<\/h2>\n
Crowns<\/h3>\n
Root Canal<\/h3>\n
Dental Implants<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nDo You Have a Cracked Tooth? Schedule an Appointment!<\/h2>\n