What’s Causing your Chipped Teeth?

Chipped teeth seem to be tied into certain types of trauma, such as tripping and falling, but there are some surprising and oftentimes hidden ways that chipped teeth can occur:

Bad habits – Do you bite your nails, chew on pencils, or ice? You could be causing chipped teeth! Your teeth were not meant to handle these types of surfaces, which can cause mini chips all over your enamel. You might not notice them right away until they add up and take away from the appearance of your smile!
Tongue Piercings – Your mouth was not meant for jewelry. If your tongue is pierced, the metal will continuously bang against your enamel, causing your teeth to chip over time. You probably won’t even realize it until the damage is severe.
Teeth Grinding – If you grind your teeth at night, you could be grinding your teeth down into nubs. A mouth guard is essential to protect your teeth from needing restorations, such as dental crowns to build them back up.
Misaligned Bite – If your bite is not perfectly straight, your teeth could be hitting together, which they should not do. Over time, it will become a natural occurrence for your enamel to chip.

The enamel on your teeth is meant to withstand normal pressures of chewing, but any of the above unusual circumstances will cause it to chip, weakening your teeth in the long run.

If you are worried about your chipped teeth, please call us for an appointment today!