It’s very common to sustain chips and cracks to your teeth. It may happen during sports, or even while you’re eating--you accidentally bite down on your fork, or you crack a tooth eating something hard. It may or may not be painful, and you might be tempted to put off getting it fixed because it doesn’t seem like a big deal. However, delaying treatment can cause problems down the road, like tooth decay and further cracking of the tooth. If you believe you’ve damaged to your tooth, whether it is a crack or a chip, our Tampa orthodontics specialist advises that you have it repaired as soon as possible to prevent further issues.
How Damage Occurs
Most commonly, people sustain injuries from sports, falls, or damage their teeth while eating. Other causes are extensive decay that has weakened the tooth, or damage from grinding that can occur suddenly and cause sharp pain. The teeth may crack, chip, or completely break. Sometimes the damage may not be painful even though extensive damage has occurred, so many people ignore the problem.
What Can Happen?
Since cracks and chips are openings in the tooth, if they are allowed to stay open, bacteria will accumulate and cause tooth decay and cavities. The cracks can also spread over time, which can eventually lead to the teeth breaking, especially in the case of grinding. Symptoms of damaged teeth include:
- Hot and cold sensitivity
- Bad breath
- Pain or toothache
It’s critical to have your tooth fixed as soon as it is damaged to avoid accumulation of bacteria and tooth decay.
Ways to Repair Tooth Damage
Fillings can be used for small cracks or damage that isn’t too extensive. Chips can be repaired with veneers, which are tooth-colored shells that restore the symmetry and surfaces of the teeth. For teeth that have cracked or have prior decay or bad fillings, crowns can be used to repair the damaged tooth. Our orthodontist will evaluate your condition and help you find the perfect solution to heal your smile!
Contact our Tampa orthodontics specialist today to find out more!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to orthodontics, feel free to contact Turke Orthodontics, with a convenient orthodontic office in Tampa, FL, by clicking here or by calling 813.603.1636
