Did you know that tooth enamel is the strongest and hardest material in the human body? As such, most people don’t think too much about what they’re chewing on. Then, all of a sudden, you hear a cracking or crunching sound in the midst of enjoying one of your favorite snacks, and before you know it, you’re on your way to your Braintree emergency dentist with a chipped tooth. Unfortunately, there are a lot of everyday, seemingly harmless foods that can easily damage your pearly whites if you’re not careful! Read on to learn more about which snacks you should avoid, why chipped teeth need to be treated, and how your emergency dentist would repair a damaged tooth.
5 Common Snacks That Damage Teeth
Are you watching what you’re snacking on? Overindulging in these five foods can dramatically increase your risk of a chipped or cracked tooth:
- Hard candy
- Popcorn (especially the kernels)
- Shelled nuts and seeds
- Olives (particularly the pits)
- Ice
Chewing on these foods wears down your enamel, leaving your teeth more weakened, sensitive, and susceptible to damage every time you do so. You should avoid or limit eating these snacks, and chew carefully when you do choose to indulge.
Why Is Chipping or Cracking a Tooth a Big Deal?
Once the initial shock and alarm of chipping a tooth has worn off, you may wonder if you really need to rush off to see your dentist. Unless the damage is substantial, your tooth may not be all that bothersome. Can you just cover up that sharp edge of your tooth with dental wax and take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed to manage any discomfort? Yes, but only after calling your dentist to make an appointment!
Even if the chip or crack is so small that you barely see or feel it, you need to have it treated as soon as possible. Damaged enamel exposes the sensitive inner layers of your tooth to bacteria and debris. The pulp or nerve of your tooth could become infected, or the damage may continue to get worse until the tooth can no longer be saved.
How Chipped or Cracked Teeth Are Repaired
Thankfully, treating a chipped or cracked tooth is a quick and simple treatment. If the damage is minimal, your dentist may use direct bonding, which is a tooth-colored composite resin, to fill in and strengthen the area. In almost every case, this inexpensive treatment can be completed in just one quick and easy appointment. If the chip or crack is more substantial, you may need a dental crown to restore the tooth’s appearance and functionality. Remember, seeing your dentist right away to treat a chipped or damaged tooth will save you time, money, and hassle on more complex services like root canals, tooth extractions, and tooth replacements later!
About the Practice
At Pinnacle Dental, our talented team does everything they can to help keep the smiles of Braintree happy, healthy and completely intact for life. However, they know that life happens, which is why they’re ready and waiting to treat all manner of dental emergencies as well. We go above and beyond to see emergency patients as soon as possible so you can get back to enjoying optimal oral health as soon as possible. If you have a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to contact us online or at (781) 843-7905.