Do's and Don'ts of How to Prevent a Chipped Tooth

A chipped tooth may cause you pain and discomfort if the chip is deep enough. The appearance of a chip can also cause you to feel self-conscious when you smile. When you take these steps, though, you reduce your risk of chipping a tooth. Here's what you should do and what you should not do to prevent a chipped tooth.

Do Reduce Your Sugar Content

You want to limit the amount of sugar you consume, not only for your overall health but also for your teeth.

The bad bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar. Once the bad bacteria devour the sugar, they produce acidic waste that damages your tooth's enamel. This acid causes tooth decay, which weakens the enamel of your teeth. Ultimately, if you have tooth decay, you have a greater chance of chipping a tooth.  

Do Limit Acidic Food and Beverages

Foods and drinks with a high acidic level weaken the enamel of your teeth and can cause tooth erosion. While your teeth undergo a process known as remineralization (which repairs the damage), if you repeatedly expose your teeth to acidic foods and drinks, your teeth can't repair themselves as easily. Basically, you weaken your teeth's enamel and leave them vulnerable to chipping.

Some examples of foods and drinks you want to limit because of their acid content include:

• Soda
• Oranges
• Lemons
• Limes
• Wine
• Tomatoes and tomato-based products

Many of these items have health benefits, so you don't want to exclude them completely. Instead, you should rinse your mouth out or brush after you consume these items. When you drink any liquid with an acid content, you should also use a straw to minimize your teeth's exposure.

Don't Chew Ice or Hard Candy

The enamel is a hard layer that protects your teeth. While it's strong, if you bite down on hard candy or ice, you can still chip this layer of your teeth.

Rather than bite hard candy or ice, suck on it. Make sure you brush your teeth soon after you eat candy to remove the sugar from your teeth.

Don't Open Items With Your Teeth

Your teeth are a necessity for eating and chewing. They, however, aren't tools. Therefore, you should avoid opening items and packages with them. While you might want to avoid the hassle of getting up for a pair of scissors or another tool, you'll protect your teeth from damage by getting the right tool to open packages.

Do Get Treatment for Your Acid Reflux

Acid reflux may cause acid from your stomach to enter your mouth. While you may tolerate the bouts of indigestion without the need for treatment, your teeth experience the wrath of the acid. When the acid comes in contact with your teeth, it wears away at your teeth's enamel, just like an acid beverage or food would.

Do Get Treatment for Teeth Grinding or Clenching

If you suffer from bruxism, more commonly known as teeth grinding, or if you clench your teeth, you wear away and damage the enamel of your teeth. You may even suffer from a chipped tooth as a result of your habit. A dentist can help you prevent your top and bottom teeth from coming in contact with one another, which reduces your chances of chipping a tooth.

Do Get Enough Vitamins and Minerals

As mentioned above, your teeth go through a remineralization process that repairs damage to your enamel. For this process to occur, you need an adequate amount of minerals such as the following:

• Vitamin D
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Vitamin K

You want to take the necessary steps to decrease the change that you'll chip a tooth. Proactive steps include diet and habit changes. It also helps to visit your dentist for more tips and routine dental care. Contact Rabel Family Dental, serving Baker, LA, and the nearby region, if you crack a tooth or want routine dental care.