Tooth decay weakens teeth by breaking down the hard outer layer of enamel, which exposes the inner dentin layer. This dentin layer is porous and can become infected, eventually causing the tooth to crack, chip, or even fall out.
Unhealthy Habits. Statistics show that those who smoke are twice as likely to experience tooth loss as those who do not. Other bad habits such as drinking alcohol, opening packages with your teeth, or chewing ice and hard candy can weaken or break your teeth at any age, but as you get older the risk factors increase.
The most common causes of tooth fractures are: Age, with many tooth cracks happening at age 50 and older. Biting hard foods, such as candy, ice or popcorn kernels. Habits, such as gum chewing, ice chewing.
Although it isn't as common, your teeth can end up breaking into tiny pieces. However, this only happens when oral hygiene is neglected. It could also stem from tooth decay or suffering from a serious facial trauma injury. Regardless of the reason, ignoring a damaged tooth can cause severe repercussions.
Sip water only throughout the day. Consume a healthy diet that includes calcium-rich dairy products, plus fruit and vegetables. And avoid eating/drinking acidic or sugary foods/beverages that might damage tooth enamel. Break your sugar habit or addiction.
Vitamin D plays a key role in bone and tooth mineralization, and when levels are unregulated it can lead to the “rachitic tooth”, which is a defective and hypomineralized organ highly susceptible to fracture and decay [35,36].
Brittle teeth can result from genetic factors, periodontal disease, osteoporosis, renal disease, and certain medications.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by age 50, most Americans have lost an average of 12 teeth. So while permanent tooth loss can occur at any age as an adult, significant averages in partial and total tooth loss tend to occur in people aged 50 years old and above.
Baby teeth ordinarily are shed first at about age 6 when the incisors, the middle teeth in front, become loose. Molars, in the back, are usually shed between ages 10 and 12, and are replaced with permanent teeth by about age 13.
All four center teeth, known as bottom and top incisors, usually fall out in the 6-8 year range. The sharp teeth beside them (called canines or cuspids) as well as the first molars leave a little later, around 9-12 years old. The second molars are often the last to go … typically in the 10-12 year range.
Correct minor cracks, chips and gaps in just one visit to the dentist with composite bonding. Composite bonding is a fast, non-invasive way to repair cosmetic issues with your teeth. Treatment can usually be completed in a single trip to the dentist.
Eat a Remineralization Diet
Certain foods can help remineralize softened areas in your teeth that acidic foods and drinks have weakened. For example, foods rich in calcium (dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt) help put back minerals into the enamel, and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables encourage saliva flow.
What happens when the body does not have enough Vitamin D in the diet. Your oral health is one of the first signs that you9 lack vitamin D. Bleeding gums and tooth decay are symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. The lack of vitamin D also impacts the immune system, which could cause oral health issues to get worse.
Stress manifests in various symptoms and physical ticks or habits, including bruxism. The result of bruxism is often headache, worn down teeth and fracture lines in teeth which often lead to broken teeth. You can avoid serious dental health problems by treating the cause of the problem before it is allowed to manifest.
Fluoride is another naturally occurring mineral that can help remineralize your teeth. It forms a stronger building block called fluorapatite, which makes your teeth more resistant to mineral loss.
Bananas are full of vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin B6, as well as fiber. In addition, they provide a wide variety of minerals like potassium, manganese, and magnesium. These minerals can help strengthen tooth enamel, so they're very good for the teeth.
Ongoing poor oral hygiene is a common reason why a tooth chips for no apparent reason. Cavities and decay weaken enamel and undermine the integrity of tooth structure. You may not notice any changes in your teeth until you get a sudden chip. Reduce your risk of tooth chipping by brushing twice a day for two minutes.
Medical problems: Conditions such as Sjogren's syndrome, GERD, osteoporosis, and other autoimmune conditions can all lead to teeth breakdown. Drug use: The use of methamphetamines and other drugs can also lead to dental decay and eventual dentition breakdown.
If a molar is only half-broken, it can usually be fixed in one of two ways. If the break is relatively minor and the edges are still intact, your dentist may be able to bond the broken pieces back together. If the damage is more severe, they may need to use a dental crown or filling material to cover the break.
Bleeding gums are, more often than not, a surefire sign your teeth may be falling out. Seeing your gums bleeding every day when brushing your teeth may be a sign of developing Periodontitis. It can cause tooth loss as it is an infection of the gums.
You can still brush a broken tooth, but you should be gentle and very careful while doing so. Brushing too hard could cause pain or further damage to the tooth, especially if the nerves on the inside of the tooth are exposed. Flossing around a damaged tooth may help to reduce pain or pressure on the broken tooth.