First things first, book an appointment with your dentist because they need to have a look and try to intervene before your damaged tooth worsens. Having a sharp edge in your mouth can be bad news since it creates an opportunity to cut your cheek or tongue, creating a risk for infection. Chipped enamel can also cause tooth sensitivity and pain.

What makes teeth chip? There are a few different things that could have happened. One possibility is that it was a tartar buildup that calcified and chipped off. Another option is that you were already experiencing tooth decay which made the tooth weak, and it broke off with some aggravation. With tooth decay, a cavity can weaken the tooth from the inside out to the point where it creates a small chip.

If you managed to grab the piece that chipped off, you could do a quick test by pressing down on it with something hard (like a spoon) and seeing if it breaks easily. Teeth are very strong, so they shouldn’t be able to break — but tartar will. The colour is also a good indication of what the chipped piece is: if it’s partly brown or black, it’s probably tartar. Visit your local Winnipeg dentist for a checkup as soon as possible.

If you suspect it’s tartar, don’t try to remove the rest of the plaque buildup by yourself or you could seriously harm your teeth or gums. Book an appointment at one of our Winnipeg dental clinics as soon as possible to restore your chipped teeth. Remember, we can accommodate same-day bookings for dental emergencies, so if you want relief, our dentists are happy to help.