Dental Health: Lower the Chance of Chipped or Cracked Teeth
When an excessive amount of pressure is placed on a tooth, the surface may become chipped or cracked. This kind of damage can compromise the integrity of your teeth, leading to decay, pain, and, ultimately, the need for teeth to be removed. By acting quickly and visiting a dentist as soon as you detect a chip or crack, you can minimise the risk of longer-term damage. However, prevention is always better than cure. This article will guide you through some of the steps you can take to avoid cracked or chipped teeth.
De-stress
Stress can cause a lot of damage to your teeth. This damage occurs as a result of tooth grinding. When you are stressed, you may clench your jaw and grind your upper teeth against the lower ones. Over time, this can degrade the enamel which surrounds your teeth. This damage to the enamel can eventually lead to chips and cracks appearing on the surface of the tooth. By getting involved in activities such as yoga, meditation and improving your diet and the quality of your sleep, you can help to reduce your stress levels.
Be cautious when eating certain foods
There are some foods which massively increase the risk of your teeth becoming chipped or cracked. Be careful if you plan to eat meat such as chicken wings or spare ribs, which still contain bones. If you carelessly bite down onto a bone, this could crack your teeth. You should also exercise caution when eating boiled sweets, nuts and any other hard foods, as these can easily result in chipped or cracked teeth.
Invest in a mouthguard
If you play sports, investing in a mouthguard can help you to protect your teeth. If another player comes into contact with you or if you are hit in the face by a ball or club, you could easily suffer serious damage to your teeth. A mouthguard will help to absorb the shock of any blow and will act as a barrier against chips and cracks.
Don't skip dental appointments
You should make every effort to attend every dental appointment. During each check-up, your dentist will inspect your teeth for cracks and chips. If they detect any, they can offer you proactive advice which will allow you to avoid any further damage. They will also take action and insert a crown or filling to repair any damage to your teeth.
If you're interested in finding out more about how you can prevent chips and cracks from damaging your dental health, you should get in touch with a dentist today.