There is a common misconception that permanent tooth damage only occurs when you do not take proper care of your teeth. While this is partly correct, there are other causes of tooth damage that do not have anything to do with oral hygiene.
Some of the leading causes of permanent tooth damage are injuries sustained during sports, falls or vehicle collisions. Bad eating habits and oral hygiene are also common factors. Even though there are varying degrees of damage that can be done to your teeth, most of the damage can be fixed by a dentist.
Even though tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the body, it has its limits. Your tooth can chip or break if you fall face first on the ground or take a blow to the face. It can also be chipped when you bite down on something hard, especially if the tooth already has some decay.
This type of permanent tooth damage is caused by different factors. You can develop tooth decay if you have bad eating habits or frequently bite down on solid items like bones. Exposure to acids is another leading form of tooth decay, and it is caused by consuming foods or drinks that contain a lot of sugar and starch. The acids in certain foods and drinks cause the enamel to lose minerals and the tooth to start decaying.
Bad oral hygiene is another cause of tooth decay. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly to remove food particles stuck between your teeth. Failure to maintain good oral hygiene can lead to plaque forming under your gums, which leads to tooth decay.
If you have a broken or chipped tooth, you should see a dentist as quickly as possible to prevent the tooth from getting infected and causing further damage. If the damage to the tooth isn’t extensive, it can be fixed in a single visit to the dentist. If the tooth is seriously damaged, it may require a lengthy and more expensive procedure to fix.
If the damage to your teeth is small, your dentist can repair the damage with a filling. However, if the damage is to your front tooth, the dentist will likely fix the damage using a procedure known as bonding, which involves using a tooth-colored composite shaped to look like a natural tooth to fix the chipped tooth.
If a large part of your tooth breaks off because of decay, your dentist may file part of the remaining tooth away and cover it with a cap or crown to protect the remaining tooth and make it look natural. Your dentist can use either metal crowns, which are the strongest, or resin and porcelain crowns, which look more natural.
Dental veneers are an alternative for a broken or chipped front tooth. A veneer is a thin shell made out of porcelain or resin composite used to cover the front of the tooth, while a thicker part is used to replace the broken piece of the tooth.
If your tooth is damaged enough that the center, which contains the blood vessels and nerves, is exposed, bacteria can enter and infect it. This means you will likely need root canal therapy, which involves the removal of the dead pulp, cleaning and sealing the root canal. Once the procedure is done, the remaining tooth is covered with a crown to protect it.
If you have a chipped or broken tooth, there is no need to panic because there are dental solutions for fixing permanent tooth damage. All you have to do is schedule an appointment with your dentist to get your smile back.
Request an appointment here: https://www.titandentalcare.com or call Titan Dental Care at (703) 745-3227 for an appointment in our Sterling office.
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