Teeth are like the Superman of body
parts, incredibly strong and resilient. The enamel that covers your teeth is
even stronger than bone!
Unfortunately, as tough as your
teeth are, they are not immune to damage.
When toothache starts to gnaw away
at you (excuse the pun), how can you tell what the cause of the problem is?
To save you some time, we've done the research for you. Here are the most common types of tooth damage:
Tooth
Decay
78% of Americans have had at least 1
cavity before they turn 17 years old. In fact, tooth decay is very common and
it is second only to the common cold.
Enamel forms a protective layer
around your teeth. If you don’t brush and floss thoroughly, your enamel may wear away, leading to tooth disorders such as
decay or cavities.
The good news is, your enamel can
repair itself. Visit your dentist for a professional cleaning to remove plaque
and tartar build-up.
White spots on your teeth are an
early warning sign of decay. If you notice these spots forming, try consuming
less sugar and starch. Bacteria feed on these ingredients, so reducing your
intake will slow the spread of bad bacteria.
Tooth
Sensitivity
If you experience sharp pain when
you consume something hot or cold, the enamel on your teeth may be weak.
When your enamel erodes, the nerves
in your teeth will be more sensitive to the hot and cold items you consume, and
this will hurt.
If you experience sensitivity, book
a dentist appointment. Your dentist will diagnose the cause of the problem and
prevent further damage.
A
Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth can be caused by a
number of things. Injury or trauma to the mouth, teeth grinding, or biting down
on hard objects can all cause your tooth to crack.
The symptoms of a cracked tooth
include pain when chewing and temperature sensitivity. Sharp edges from the
cracked tooth may also cut your tongue.
A dental crown will protect the
remainder of the tooth from further damage. Follow this link to learn more about Dental Crowns.
Depending on the extent of the
crack, you may require a root canal procedure to properly treat the damage.
If you have cracked your tooth,
visit your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further tooth problems.
A
Chipped Tooth
Unlike other types of tooth damage
that can be difficult to spot, chipped teeth are easily noticeable. This is
because it is often our front teeth that get damaged.
Our front teeth are more exposed and
bear the brunt of our injuries. People commonly chip their teeth as a result of
facial trauma or from trying to open something with their teeth.
A chipped front tooth can negatively
impact your speech and appearance, leading to low self-esteem. Luckily, a quick
visit to your dentist can fix the problem.
Your dentist can hide the missing
part of your tooth by filling the gap with a strong resin. If the chip is very
large, your dentist may recommend a crown.
Don’t
Let Tooth Damage Get You Down
Now you know which red flags to look
out for to spot tooth damage.
If you have a damaged tooth, visit
your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further problems. Your dentist will
ease your pain and restore your smile in no time!
Browse through our other dental
articles for more helpful information!
