Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Chipped Tooth

The Consequences Of Ignoring A Chipped Tooth

A chipped tooth might seem like a non-issue, especially if you’re not in pain. However, regardless of whether you’re in pain, ignoring chipped teeth is the biggest mistake you can make.

You might face various consequences by ignoring a chipped tooth in your mouth. First, ignoring a chipped tooth causes the worst dental problems in the long run.

Without a chipped tooth repair, your chipped front tooth becomes weak with time and eventually breaks. Also, you’ll experience unwanted pain if you ignore a chipped tooth.

Even though your chipped teeth might not hurt, the pain will develop with time. For instance, when the roots get exposed, your teeth will become sensitive to cold temperatures.

Having a chipped tooth implies that part of your tooth is showing. This may lead to more severe tooth cavities and other infections in your teeth and body as a whole.

Read on to learn why you shouldn’t ignore a chipped tooth.

Is a Chipped Tooth Same as a Cracked Tooth?

Unlike a crack, a tooth chip is usually shallower. You can chip your tooth without your knowledge. Having a chipped tooth may involve the enamel or extend into your dentine.

Often, you might hardly notice the symptoms of a chipped tooth. These signs will mainly become prevalent if your chip cuts deep, exposing the nerves on the interior layers of the affected tooth or teeth.

On the other hand, a crack will extend through a part or parts of your tooth. You’ll often feel pain from flexing your tooth cusps when you chew or bite hard stuff on a cracked tooth.

If not fixed, your crack may extend to your tooth nerves and roots.

Common Causes of a Chipped Tooth

Anyone can have chipped teeth. But children are more vulnerable to having chipped teeth resulting from their higher levels of physical activity.

Common causes of chipped teeth include biting or chewing hard objects like pens and ice cubes. Falling and landing on a hard surface with your mouth can make your tooth chip.

Teeth grinding at night can also weaken and fracture your teeth with time, causing a chipped tooth. Other causes of a chipped tooth include tooth decay and cavities that weaken your tooth structure.

What Happens When You Chip a Tooth?

Usually, having a chipped tooth implies that a piece of your tooth enamel broke off. If you have a minor tooth chip, you may not expose your dentine or experience pain.

Symptoms of a Chipped Tooth

The main symptom that you’ll notice is sharp edges on the chipped tooth. If the tooth chip is significant, your enamel will break off and expose your dentine.

That way, your teeth become sensitive, and you start experiencing pain when your teeth’ nerves get damaged.

With or without pain, if you don’t fix a chipped tooth, you increase your exposure to bacteria and risks of infection or tooth decay.

What to Do if You Chip a Tooth

You can use ice or a cold compress to ease pain, bleeding, or swelling after chipping your tooth. Avoid chewing on the affected side if your tooth becomes very tender before you can fix the chipped tooth.

Otherwise, you may end up making your situation worse than it already is. Proceed with good oral hygiene after having a chipped tooth repaired at home.

Further, refrain from taking sticky foods and drinks that can stick to broken teeth, causing you further damage. If possible, change the way that you eat food. This measure helps to avoid putting pressure on the chipped tooth.

Is It Necessary to Repair a Chipped Tooth?

Yes! You must repair a chipped tooth for various reasons. A chip in your tooth can lead to sharp edges that can hurt the inside of your cheeks or tongue.

Besides, your teeth may become more sensitive to different temperatures. The pressure from chewing will increase your pain, making it hard to eat or drink.

Chipped Tooth Repair Treatments

Your chipped tooth treatment options may vary depending on the size of the chip. Even so, you can get simple fixes in the early stages of your tooth chips and cracks.

Some of your chipped tooth repair treatments include:

• Dental reshaping
• Dental filling
• Dental bonding to fix minor chips
• Dental crown to help protect and restore broken teeth
• Chipped tooth veneer repair
• Dental implants and reattachments

How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Chipped Tooth?

Your chipped tooth repair cost in Canada may vary from one dentist to another. The dental treatment you want will also affect your chipped tooth repair cost.

You can consult with your dentist during the examination to find out how much you’ll part with for your chipped tooth veneer repair services.

Consequences of Not Fixing a Chipped Tooth

Some of the effects of not fixing a chipped tooth include having cuts in the mouth, tooth sensitivity, broken teeth, and infection.

Cuts in the Mouth

A chipped tooth has jagged edges that can cut your gums, cheek, and tongue. These cuts introduce painful wounds in your mouth, making you struggle to talk and eat comfortably.

Tooth Sensitivity

When your enamel misses, your inner tooth nerves become exposed. So, your tooth becomes more sensitive to cold and hot temperatures, sugary or acidic foods and drinks, and chewing pressure.

Broken Tooth

Since a chip weakens your tooth structure, it becomes susceptible to breaking, especially when chewing on something hard. A broken tooth will require more complex treatments to restore the tooth, unlike would be the case with simple chipped tooth fixes.

Infection

Lastly, having deep chips allows for bacteria entry into your tooth. The bacteria damages and infects your teeth, leading to severe toothaches. This may make you seek root canal or tooth extraction treatments.

How a Dentist Treats a Chipped Tooth

Usually, the dentist polishes your chipped tooth to smoothen the sharp edges. Your dentist can also apply dental bonding to fill and rebuild your chipped tooth.

If the chip runs deep, the dentist may use a dental crown to restore your teeth. You’ll also get a veneer to keep your tooth safe from infections.

A root canal may be necessary if your chipped tooth has damaged pulps and roots. This removes the damaged tissue before crown placement.

Your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction if your roots or pulps are highly damaged. The dentist will replace the extracted tooth with a dental implant or bridge.

How to Avoid Chipping Your Tooth

Refrain from crushing hard foods like ice or candy that can make your teeth break. Don’t bite down on hard objects like pens and pencils since you may cause lifelong damage to your teeth and gums.

Exercise a lot of care when brushing your teeth. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush your teeth in a circular motion instead of the up and down motion.

Using mouthwash will also help make your enamel strong.

The Takeaway

Regardless of whether you’re feeling the pain, do not ignore having a chipped tooth. Instead, visit your dentist to have your chipped tooth repaired.

Check online for reviews and testimonials to help choose the best dentist for your chipped tooth repair. Additionally, ensure your dentist provides quality and affordable services.

Contact us for your dental care services.