Explore the Causes and Treatment of Chipped Tooth in Children
Teething in children comes with its fair share of burden for both child and parents.
After suffering from irritability, swelling, digestive issues, etc, for months, a child’s teeth erupt.
But the struggle doesn’t end here. Infants may suffer from dental problems in their early life stages. An infant chipped tooth is a typical oral health challenge for infants.
Chipped teeth simply refer to losing a part of tooth enamel as a result of an injury or trauma.
If your child is suffering from a chipped tooth, make sure to consult the best orthodontic specialist. You can consult with Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in Arizona.
But what is a chipped tooth, how does it affect normal oral functions, and what are the possible solutions? Let’s answer all these questions in the later part.
Infant chipped tooth
A chipped tooth, or broken tooth, is an oral condition when part of tooth enamel comes off. It is a common dental injury that could affect both infant and adult teeth.
Chipped teeth or other such dental injuries affect 50% of children. Infants’ teeth are more fragile when chipping because the enamel of baby teeth is much softer.
Impact of Teeth Chipping
Sometimes, a chipped or broken tooth isn’t a cause of concern and is harmless. However, this is not always the case, as chipped teeth come with their fair share of challenges and complications.
Here is how a chipped tooth can impact your oral health:
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What Causes Chipped Tooths in Babies?
Many parents are concerned about why their babies break their teeth so easily. There are many possible reasons for this.
As infants or toddlers achieve their milestones, they engage in more activities, likely increasing their chances of teeth chipping. Other than this, children have baby teeth that are more susceptible to injuries at that age.
The following are some of the prominent causes of teeth chipping in infants.
Learning Skills
While you are learning to walk, run, and jump, they are more prone to falling or losing their balance. This increases their likelihood of mouth injury that may appear as a chipped tooth later.
Playing Sport
Another cause of infant chipped teeth is injury while engaging in sports. A child playing football or baseball might end up chipping his teeth because preventive measures were insufficient.
Weak Tooth Enamel
A weak tooth enamel is another reason why infants chip their teeth quickly. Tooth enamel has to protect the underlying structure of teeth from damage.
However, sometimes, the tooth enamel becomes weak and gets damaged. This enamel erosion increases your chances of teeth chipping.
Teeth Grinding/ Bruxism
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is a common oral problem in infants and children. This is especially common when a child’s teeth erupt, so they may grind them to ease the pain.
Teeth grinding puts excessive pressure on your teeth, resulting in weaker enamel, which is more likely to come off due to injury.
Using Teeth as Tools
Sometimes, children chip their teeth because they try to use them as tools. Trying to open the packaging or removing the bottle lid can harm the child’s teeth, leading to broken teeth.
Chewing on Hard Items
Children or infants might get chipped teeth while trying to chew on the harder objects. These objects can be food and non-food items as well.
Suggested Read: 5 Best Home Remedies To Cure Tooth Cavities
How to Deal with a Chipped Tooth at Home?
If your child is suffering from a chipped tooth, then here is how you can deal with it at home:
Saltwater Rinses
If there is no bleeding and your child is experiencing pain, then it’s better to give them saltwater rinses. Saltwater rinses not only clean the site, preventing harmful bacteria entry, but also provide immediate relief.
Cold Compress
Another way to overcome the pain after tooth chipping in children is to apply a cold compress. Apply a cool pad or some cold object on your skin for some time to get rid of the pain. It helps to overcome the pain and inflammation.
Clove
If your child is suffering from pain after chipping their tooth, it is best to use clove or clove oil at the injury site. Clove is known for its pain-relieving potential.
What are the Treatment Options for Chipped Teeth in Children?
The treatment for chipped teeth in infants varies from patient to patient. The extent of damage and associated symptoms let the doctor decide on a suitable treatment plan for your child.
The following are some of the best treatment options for chipped teeth:
Dental Filling
This treatment option is workable when the damage is minor because of a chipped tooth. In this case, the dentist may use a dental filling to restore teeth. However, this is only workable if there is no teeth discoloration or gum damage.
Suggested Read: 4 Types Of Dental Fillings For Your Child’s Oral Health In 2024
Bonding
Your dentist may also use resin-based filling to restore damaged parts of the teeth. This is similar to dental filling, but the difference is that bonding is usually a preferable treatment option for larger chips.
Root Canal Treatment
If the damage from a chipped tooth is more profound and affects the tooth pulp, then a root canal is the treatment option. In this mode of treatment, the dentist removes the damaged or infected pulp to minimize the extent of damage.
Suggested Read: 12 Ways To Ease Child’s Anxiety For Their Dental Treatment
Bottom Line
A chipped tooth in infants is a common dental injury. Children, especially infants, are more prone to damage because of the weaker enamel.
There are several causes of chipped teeth in children, ranging from chewing on harder objects to falling and stumbling while playing. Irrespective of the reason, a chipped tooth can be a bothersome experience for both child and parents.
Depending on the signs and symptoms, it might be a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. If your child exhibits pain or swelling alongside a chipped tooth, immediately consult a good dentist.
