Chipped, Fractured, or
Broken Teeth
Teeth can sometimes chip or fracture when you bite down on something
hard, such as a popcorn kernel or stale bread. “But that kind of injury is
actually quite uncommon,” says Steven E. Schonfeld, DDS, PhD, a dentist in private
practice and spokesman for the American Dental Association.
Teeth that have fillings or root canals are at highest risk, because
they aren't as strong as intact teeth. “But even intact teeth can chip or
fracture if you happen to bite down in just the wrong way on something hard,”
Schonfeld says.
More often, teeth are damaged as a result of accidents or sports
injuries. When researchers surveyed athletes competing in the Pan American
World Games recently, they found that almost half showed signs of tooth
fractures believed to have occurred over time during training or competing. In
that study, sports most commonly associated with tooth injuries included
wrestling, boxing, basketball, and karate. But even non-contact sports such as
in-line skating or skiing can result in damage to teeth.
What you can do: If you have fillings in your back molars,
it's wise to avoid biting down on hard foods such as bones, hard candies, and
ice. Wear a mouth guard if you play sports that pose a risk of injury, and get
them for your kids that play sports, too. A 2002 survey of college basketball
players found that mouth guard wearers significantly reduced their risk of
dental injuries. Simple mouth guards are available at most sporting goods
stores. Your dentist can also make a custom-fitted mouth guard.
A dentist can repair chipped teeth. Fractures are harder to fix,
especially if the crack extends below your gum line. If you have a badly
fractured tooth, your dentist may remove it.