What Causes Chipping Up Of Teeth?

Posted on Tue, 4 Nov 2014

Question: Hello - I am having problems with my teeth. In the past few months they've been breaking or chipping. My back molar even sheared off at the gum line with a crown on it and a front bottom tooth slivered off while flossing! I brush with an enamel restoration toothpaste but also am a diabetic, smoker and take blood pressure medicine. It seems like since I turned 50 they've taken a downturn. Can you give me some suggestions/insight? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Tiwari (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Monitor your sugar level , Quit Smoking.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX

Thanks for consulting Healthcare magic .
This is Dr. Priyanka tiwari answering your query.

Read your query and understand your concern as you have chipping of teeth see what happened is chipping of teeth or wearing of teeth is due to some reasons which include :
- Mechanical trauma .
- Stress induced .
- Tooth grinding ( if your upper and lower teeth are in edge to edge relation ) .
- Use of Hard bristle toothbrush or Doing wrong brushing technique .
- wearing of teeth also related to your medical condition Diabetes, in diabetes what happened is higher level of sugar and starch more acid wearing of teeth . Diabetes reduces ability to fight against bacteria .

I will suggest you some remedies to prevent damage to your teeth and gums :
- Make a commitment to managing your diabetes - monitor your blood sugar level , better you control your blood sugar level less likely to develop gum or teeth problems .
- Use soft bristles toothbrush to brush your teeth , dont brush your teeth in horizontal motion brush your teeth in circular motion. Avoid vigrous and harsh brushing .
- Use flouride containing toothpaste .
- Do XXXXXXX warm saline rinses 2 -3 times a day.
- Dont smoke -as smoking increases serious diabetes complication including gums disease , quit your smoking habit .
- Use waxed floss for cleaning interdental areas to teeth.

Visit oral surgeon for professional cleaning atleast twice in year and visual examination of teeth and gums . Managing diabetes is lifelong commitment and that includes proper dental care .

Hope I have answered your query .
If you have further query I will be happy to help.

Thanks .

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T