Do Teeth Chip with Age?
There are a number of contributing factors that can lead to a patient experiencing a chipped tooth, including poor oral hygiene, poor nutrition, and other dental challenges like malocclusion and bruxism. While a chipped tooth is not necessarily an emergency, it can be uncomfortable and potentially lead to a larger break or fracture in the tooth. Patients of any age can experience a chipped tooth due to a variety of factors.
Do teeth chip with age?
Older patients are more susceptible to chips in their teeth because, as we age, the hard enamel on the outside of our teeth naturally begins to weaken. Good oral hygiene and a good diet consisting of dairy products and leafy greens containing calcium can greatly improve the strength of the enamel and help patients avoid chipping their teeth.
Our oral health is directly connected to our overall health, so when patients have good nutrition and healthy habits, every part of the body benefits.
What else can cause chipped teeth?
A large majority of dental issues can be attributed to poor oral hygiene, which not only has a negative impact on your oral health, but also your overall systemic health as well. Without proper hygiene practices, the foods of beverages that we consume every day wear away at the enamel, leaving the soft underlying structures more susceptible to damage.
Bruxism is the unconscious clenching and grinding that many patients do, especially during sleep. It plays a huge role in the integrity of your teeth and can cause chips or fractures in the teeth, jaw pain, and even head and neck pain. Your doctor can have a custom night guard fabricated by a dental lab to help alleviate symptoms of bruxism and relieve resulting pain, and protect your teeth.
Teeth are not tools, so using them to open a package or a bottle is a sure-fire way to chip a tooth. Biting your nails or chewing on anything that is very hard, even nuts, can have an impact on your teeth. In the event that you do chip a tooth, see your dentist as soon as possible, even if you are not experiencing pain or sensitivity. A chipped tooth will only get worse over time and can lead to a severe fracture, which will require more extensive (and expensive) care.
Most of the time, a small chip can be repaired with composite bonding to rebuild the tooth structure and protect it from further damage. Larger chips may require a restoration like a crown or veneer, but your dentist will determine the best way to restore a chipped tooth.
Experiencing chipped teeth is unfortunately quite normal as we age. A custom night guard is a great way to help prevent any damage while you sleep and can help protect existing restorations as well. It is important to maintain regular visits to your dentist and to have any chips or fractures repaired immediately to prevent further damage.