Why It’s So Important to Repair a Chipped Tooth  

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Do you have a chipped tooth? Most people don’t realize that having a chipped tooth can lead to irreparable damage. However, any dentist in Athens, TX will tell you that repairing a chipped tooth as soon as possible is the only way to avoid irreversible damage.

Why It’s So Important to Repair a Chipped Tooth

Here are four reasons why it is so important that you have your chipped tooth repaired as soon as possible! Your dentist might suggest bonding, a filling, or maybe even a dental crown in Athens, TX.

1. Loss of Tooth Structure

The treatment for having a chipped tooth will vary depending on how deep the chip goes. However, a chipped tooth is essentially a loss of your tooth’s original structure. This can lead to new chips and cracks in your tooth’s enamel which will result in further deterioration of your tooth over time.

Therefore, if you don’t have your chipped tooth fixed, that chip could get worse until it reaches the nerve in your tooth. Once that happens, you will experience extreme tooth pain, bad breath, tender glands, and possibly a fever.

2. Susceptible to Infection

A chipped tooth is susceptible to infection. That infection could move to your neck and head and result in additional health issues. And, while rare, an infected chipped tooth could become life-threatening.

3. Increased Sensitivity to Heat, Cold, and Pain While Chewing

When you have a chipped tooth, that tooth will become sensitive to heat and cold and will hurt when you chew.

4. Damage to the Surrounding Soft Tissue

Your chipped tooth could result in further oral damage. A chipped tooth can injure the surrounding soft tissue in your mouth such as your tongue and gums.

Do You Need a Dentist in Athens, TX?

If you need a dentist in Athens, TX to fix a chipped tooth or address any of your other dental issues, please Contact Athens Smiles Family Dental today. We provide quality dental services in a comfortable, friendly environment and deliver them as gently as possible.

 

4 Ways to Avoid a Cracked Tooth

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A cracked tooth can be more than just uncomfortable – it can also lead to oral health issues. Chewing with a cracked tooth can lead to infection in the pulp of the tooth, causing pain and even leading to a tooth extraction in Athens TX. It’s better to avoid a cracked tooth altogether! Here’s what you can do to avoid a cracked tooth.

1. Never Use Your Teeth As “Scissors”

Your teeth are not meant to cut through hard plastic, paper, cardboard, and other materials. Some people use their teeth as “scissors” to cut through packaging when no scissors are available.

Using your teeth in this way can cause cracks in your teeth. If you need to cut through packaging and don’t have a blade on hand, use something hard like your car keys.

2. Avoid Chewing Hard Candy

Hard candy is tasty, but it’s not good for your teeth. Hard candy is especially bad for your teeth when you bite down on it. Suck on hard candy and, if you’re tempted to bite down on it, set it aside for a while.

3. Wear a Mouth Guard If You Need One

People who grind their teeth are more likely to develop cracks in the enamel. If you grind your teeth at night, wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth and prevent these cracks.

If you don’t have a mouth guard, talk to your dentist to get one. Although they sell mouthguards at the pharmacy, the best mouthguards are custom-made.

4. See Your Dentist Regularly

See your dentist in Athens Texas to check your teeth for cracks and other problems that can lead to cracks. At Athens Smiles, we’ll monitor your tooth health and identify potential for cracks. Call today to make an appointment for a general checkup.

5 Common Causes of a Cracked Tooth

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Your teeth are very strong, but they aren’t invincible. Certain things can cause damage to the tooth, including cracks. Cracked teeth are bad because that creates an entryway for bacteria into the interior of the tooth. To avoid cracked teeth, consider these common causes:

1. Chewing on Ice

Lots of people chew on ice after they’ve finished a drink. But this habit often causes cracked teeth. If you have this habit, toss your ice right away so you aren’t tempted.

2. Eating Hard Candy

There are many kinds of popular hard candy that, unfortunately, can lead to a cracked tooth. They include favorites like peanut brittle and pralines. Avoid this type of candy if you want to keep teeth healthy.

3. Experiencing Mouth Trauma

Blunt force trauma to the mouth can also cause a cracked tooth. These most often occur as sports injuries, car accidents or falls. You can wear a mouth guard while playing sports to avoid injury, but the other incidents cannot be predicted.

4. Teeth Grinding

If you grind your teeth either while awake or asleep, you may be causing one or more of your teeth to crack. This is because the chronic lateral force being applied to your teeth isn’t natural. If you are a teeth grinder, talk to your dentist about wearing a teeth guard that will help you to break the habit.

5. Age

As you age, your teeth may become slightly weaker. This makes them more susceptible to cracking and other injury. More teeth cracks occur in those over aged 50 than in younger people. There’s nothing you can do to prevent this from happening, but regular dental checkups will help to ensure that any cracks are detected right away.

Your Athens dentist can help if you have a cracked tooth. There are treatments available that can restore the look and strength of your cracked tooth. Contact us today for details.