Broken teeth can shatter your self-esteem and confidence. No matter how pearly white your teeth may be, even a single broken tooth can ruin their appearance. Broken teeth can also be painful. But the big question is: If tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body, why are some teeth so vulnerable to breaks?
Teeth breakage can occur due to certain medical conditions, poor oral hygiene, nutrient deficiencies, and inappropriate brushing habits. Protect your teeth by strengthening your enamel with a nutritious diet, treating oral diseases as quickly as possible, and maintaining your overall oral health.
Teeth breakage has various causes. But don’t worry; you can prevent your teeth from breaking by taking the right precautionary measures and getting professional care from your dentist. Let’s take a closer look at what’s behind this issue and what you can do about it.
Why Are Your Teeth Breaking?
Tooth breakage can result from different underlying issues. It is a sign of having unhealthy teeth that need immediate attention. Learning about the actual cause behind your teeth breaking can help you prevent the situation in the future.
In order to figure out exactly what’s going on with your teeth, you should visit a dentist. Only a professional can determine the actual cause of your teeth breaking. However, you can still get an idea of what it might be based on your own experiences and medical history. Here are some possible causes:
Medical Conditions
Some medical conditions affect your teeth and their overall health making them weak and more vulnerable to breaks.
Periodontal diseases can make your teeth weak overtime. They should be treated as early as possible. Diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis aren’t as harmful at first. But if you leave them untreated, they can damage the tooth to the extent that it breaks.
Osteoporosis is a condition in which your bones become weak. This also includes your jaw bone becoming weak and not being able to hold the teeth in place. When this occurs, a tooth might break off.
Dentinogenesis Imperfecta is a condition in which the dentin layer of your teeth is underdeveloped and weak. This makes your teeth vulnerable to breaks. Other symptoms include teeth discoloration, improperly placed teeth, speech issues etc.
Deficiencies
Your teeth require minerals and nutrients to stay healthy and strong. These include calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin D, etc. If you aren’t getting enough nutrients in your diet, it can weaken your teeth.
Eating disorders can also be a cause behind deficiencies. Treating these issues is the first step to protecting your teeth from breaking.
Enamel Erosion
Enamel is the outermost protective layer of your teeth. If you have a weak or eroded enamel, your teeth become prone to wear, breakage, and diseases that cause breakage. There are many things that can cause weak enamel. Some of these are:
- Consumption of acidic food and drinks.
- Acid reflux and gastroesophageal disease causing frequent vomiting.
- Bulimia and morning sickness.
- Brushing teeth too hard with a hard bristled-toothbrush.
- Improper oral hygiene.
- Grinding and clenching of teeth (bruxism).
Conditions like enamel hypoplasia (thin enamel) can also be a reason for weak and vulnerable teeth leading to tooth breakage.
Age Factor
As you age, your teeth become weaker and wear out. In old age, breakage of teeth is more common. However, if you take care of your teeth throughout your life, this issue can be avoided to a great extent.
How Can You Prevent Your Teeth From Breaking?
Keeping your teeth healthy and strong will save them from breaking. For this, you need to protect the outer layer of your teeth — your enamel. If you have healthy, strong tooth enamel, it will not only protect against tooth breakage but also against oral diseases.
So, how can you make your enamel strong? Well, here are some tips that can strengthen your enamel!
Avoid Acid and Sugar
Sugar and acid are the two biggest enemies of teeth enamel. These two things can damage the enamel in no time. Using too much acid and sugar in your diet is generally bad for your health, even beyond the teeth.
You can use artificial sweeteners instead of sugar for a healthier choice. Fizzy drinks, sodas, lemonades, etc. should be consumed as little as possible.
Get Treatment for Medical Conditions
Any medical condition that can damage your tooth enamel directly or indirectly should be treated immediately. The earlier you seek medical attention for such issues, the more you will protect your enamel from wearing off. Enamel damage isn’t reversible, so you should work to save it right away.
Eating disorders, acid reflux, bruxism, and dental issues such as gingivitis should be treated by a professional.
For bruxism, you can try using a night guard to prevent teeth grinding at night.
Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet containing all the necessary nutrients isn’t only essential for your body but also your teeth. Enamel strengthening nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus should be taken in sufficient amounts. Calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin A deficiencies should be addressed as soon as possible.
You can take calcium supplements in consultation with your doctor. Doing so can strengthen your teeth, nails, and bones.
Dairy products like cheese, yogurt, and milk are also healthy for the enamel. Incorporate these things into your daily diet.
Improve Your Oral Health
Brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily is essential for your oral health. It protects your teeth and enamel from bacteria and other germs and keeps you away from diseases.
If you have braces, you should brush around the wires as well to get rid of any plaque that might be stuck there.
After consuming acidic or sugary substances, rinse your mouth with water to get rid of the acid from your teeth. But don’t use a toothbrush for at least 30 minutes after using acidic substances. It could further damage the teeth and cause weakening of the enamel.
Improve Your Brushing Habits
Brush your teeth the right way by keeping the pressure relatively light. Brushing too hard can damage the enamel and cause it to erode. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles, like the Nimbus Extra Soft Toothbrush (on Amazon).
Incorporate fluoride into your brushing routine because it strengthens the enamel and keeps your teeth healthy. You can use Listerine Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash (on Amazon) daily to avoid cavities and promote strong enamel.
Treatments for Broken Teeth
If your tooth is broken, your dentist will tell you the best way to treat it. Seeking professional help is essential in this matter. Some treatments for a broken tooth may be fairly quick if the damage isn’t too severe.
On the other hand, some treatments are more extensive. Let’s take a look at the most common treatments for broken teeth.
Dental Crowns and Caps
Crowns are great for covering a broken tooth. They have a thick appearance and protect the tooth from further damage. Dental crowns or caps are made with an impression of your tooth so that they can mimic the original look and shape of your teeth.
Nowadays, most dentists use ceramic crowds because they are functionally superior to the metal-based crowns that used to be very common. They also have a much nicer appearance.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are placed in tooth holes and protect the entire tooth. Sealants not only cover the broken or cracked tooth but also keep the cavity-causing bacteria away. They are best for molars and premolars.
Dental Bonding
Composite bonding is used to bring back your natural teeth appearance. The composite resin is colored according to your tooth’s original color to match its appearance.
Veneers
Veneers not only cover your teeth but also give it a much better look. They can boost your self-confidence by giving you a beautiful smile. Veneers also protect the teeth from further breakage and damage.
How Can You Reduce Pain From a Broken Tooth?
The first step is to clean your mouth and rinse it with water. You have to be sure that there is no debris around the broken area so that the chances of developing a severe infection are low.
Use a hot water and salt solution to rinse your mouth. This will reduce toothache to a great extent.
If there is swelling and pain, use an ice-pack. Hold the ice-pack to the area where your broken tooth is present. This will reduce inflammation and numb the area, reducing the pain.
If your broken tooth is bleeding, use gauze. Bite down on a clean piece of gauze until the bleeding stops.
A broken tooth is far more sensitive than an intact one. Therefore, you should avoid chewing with that tooth. Don’t let a cold or hot beverage or food touch that area or you will experience sensitivity.
Also avoid sticky foods and fruits with seeds that can stick around the broken tooth.
Don’t try to treat a broken tooth by yourself. Make a dentist appointment as soon as possible. The above tips may offer some temporary relief, but only your dentist can suggest the right treatment and relieve the pain permanently.
