20 Jun What to Do if You Chip a Tooth
Did you just chip a tooth? If you have, and it isn’t causing you any pain, you may be tempted to wait until your next dental appointment for treatment. However, this situation is more urgent than you might think. Waiting to repair your tooth could lead to bigger problems down the road. In some cases, chipping or cracking a tooth could even constitute a dental emergency.
Is It Bad to Ignore a Damaged Tooth?
Most of the time, it’s a bad idea to ignore a chipped or cracked tooth. Depending on the size and location of the damage, it could compromise the structural integrity of the tooth. If left untreated, a chipped tooth can affect your bite. Be safe and avoid further damage by getting the situation addressed promptly.
Another danger of ignoring the damage is exposing the inner layers of your tooth. As the enamel wears away around the chipped area, the dentin inside the tooth becomes exposed. This can lead to sudden tooth pain as a response to temperature changes, like drinking a steaming hot cup of cocoa or guzzling a glass of icy water after a jog. Eating while your tooth is chipped could cause the damage to grow, so it’s best to seek care as soon as possible.
Do Chipped Teeth Cause Cavities?
Yes, a chipped tooth will make the area more prone to infections and decay. It’s all too easy for food particles and bacteria to accumulate in the damaged area. When debris gets trapped in the crevice, bacteria will thrive, producing acids that erode the tooth enamel and cause cavities.
How Will My Tooth Be Repaired?
We will determine the care you need based on the extent of the damage. Minor chips and cracks in teeth can usually be repaired with a dental filling or cosmetic bonding. Dental bonding is often a go-to solution for fixing minor cosmetic problems, but it’s not suitable in more extreme cases. Teeth with large chips or deep cracks may need crowns or veneers to successfully treat the problem.
If You Chipped a Tooth, Here’s What to Do
- Assess the damage—is it a chip or a crack?
- Flush your mouth gently with clean, warm water.
- If you are bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze or a clean cloth.
- Call your dentist to schedule an appointment.
At Dr. Saba and Associates, we offer restorative, preventative, and emergency dental services at affordable prices. We would be happy to help you with cosmetic work to repair a chipped tooth.
If you have a chipped or cracked tooth, don’t wait to seek treatment! Call our Sun Lakes office at 480-895-2111 today to schedule an urgent appointment.
Image by Michael Larsson from Pixabay on 5.23.2024 | used under the creative commons license for commercial use.