Most Common Causes of Chipped and Broken Teeth

A chipped or broken tooth is not a fun experience for anyone – especially a child. When it comes to a kid’s dental care, our practice offers everything from routine preventive services to same-day appointments for emergency care. Our children’s emergency dentist provides gentle treatment for those suffering with chipped and broken teeth. Following are some of the most common causes of broken teeth.
 

Enamel Erosion

Tooth enamel is the mineralized outer layer of teeth. It is made of strong minerals so that it can protect the softer structures inside a tooth from harmful bacteria that cause cavities. Because tooth enamel is so strong, it can help prevent chipped and broken teeth, too. While enamel is very strong, it is susceptible to damage when exposed to acid on a repeated basis. Acid will strip away the mineral content of enamel, which softens it and makes it weak. Over time, enamel loss can expose the underlying structure of teeth (dentin) to cavity-causing oral bacteria. Weakened tooth enamel leaves teeth vulnerable to decay, chipping, cracking, and breaking.
 

Facial Trauma

One of the most common ways that teeth become broken or chipped is by traumatic facial injuries. A facial injury can occur as a result of a car wreck, accidental fall, or blunt force trauma from contact sports. Blunt force to the face can lead to dislodged teeth as well as broken and chipped teeth. It is important to schedule an appointment with our children’s emergency dentist as soon as possible since facial trauma requires immediate professional attention.
 

Tooth Decay

In addition to enamel loss and facial trauma, untreated tooth decay is a common cause behind a child developing chipped or broken teeth. Tooth decay not only signifies that a portion of a tooth is weakened, it also means that a cavity has formed a depression in the tooth, leaving sensitive internal structures exposed. Teeth with untreated tooth decay can fracture and chip – especially when eating hard or crisp foods.

For more information about preventive care or emergency services, call our kid’s dental practice today at Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry.