Over time, our teeth can become worn down and the edges softened. This is normal wear and tear on teeth, and it can happen no matter what we eat – especially if we eat a lot of hard or crunchy foods. But what isn’t normal is chipping or cracking of the teeth. Imagine this. You just finished lunch and decide to chew a piece of sugarless gum to help clean your teeth and freshen your breath. No harm there, right? But as you chew, you feel a crunch. Uh oh! Your tooth just cracked. Now, granted, it probably wasn’t caused by the gum, but gum can loosen old fillings, and an already weakened tooth can crack with very little pressure. Now what? Should you leave that chip alone, or should you fix it? Depending on the size of the chip and the location of the tooth itself, it may not seem worth it to get it fixed. But believe it or not there are valid medical reasons for getting a chipped or cracked tooth fixed. Protect Your Enamel Depending on the location of the chip, when you damage a tooth you can chip into the tooth’s outer protective layer, the enamel. Chipped enamel may not look like a big deal, but it can leave the tooth vulnerable to decay and cavities. That’s why it’s important to have the tooth evaluated by Dr. George, even if you think it's no big deal. Go Back to Your Roots Enamel damage can not only harm the surface of your teeth, but can also lead to infection of the roots of your teeth. That’s because when the enamel is damaged, bacteria have an easier way into the dentin and roots of your teeth. Keep Growing A chip may not seem big now, but remember that wear and tear? Well, if your chip gets worn down naturally or the tooth itself is weakened, the chip can get a lot bigger, a lot faster. It Looks Bad Depending on where the chip is located it might just look bad, and honestly, that’s enough of a problem to warrant fixing it. You are entitled to a beautiful, healthy smile, and that includes having all your teeth completely intact. To have a chipped or cracked tooth repaired, call Dr. George at 724-220-2347.