A chipped tooth is a common dental issue that is not usually considered an emergency, but it can be a serious problem that needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Patients of any age can experience a chipped tooth at any time due to an accident, decay, age, or eating hard foods.
Is a chipped tooth serious?
It is important to have a chipped tooth evaluated by your dentist as soon as possible, whether or not you experience any symptoms such as tooth sensitivity or pain. Your doctor will be able to tell you how serious your chipped tooth is and provide an option to repair it. The severity of the chipped tooth depends on how extensive the damage is. If it is a very small chip, your doctor may be able to simply smooth out the tooth so that there are no rough edges. If the chip is larger, you may need to have the tooth bonded or have a crown placed.
A chipped tooth can become very serious if it is left untreated because it can progress to a crack and even fracture in two. When the tooth fractures, it may need to be extracted. A chipped tooth is not going to fix itself and will only worsen over time, which is why it is so important to have your dentist check the tooth even if it does not hurt.
What causes a chipped tooth?
Poor oral hygiene leading to tooth decay is one of the more common reasons that people chip a tooth. A buildup of plaque and bacteria weakens tooth enamel, making it more susceptible to damage. The enamel of the tooth is the hard, outer layer that protects the softer inner tissues of the tooth. When the enamel is compromised, the inner tissues become susceptible to bacteria and infection, which can be very painful.
Another common cause of chipped teeth is bruxism. Bruxism is the unconscious clenching and/or grinding of the teeth that many of us do in our sleep. The pressure that is applied to the teeth when we grind our teeth can cause a lot of damage and cause severe pain in the jaw and neck, as well as compromising the integrity of the teeth. For bruxism, your dentist can fabricate a custom night guard for you to wear while you sleep to help absorb some of the pressure that is being put on your teeth.
Depending on how serious the damage is, your dentist will be able to repair the tooth by smoothing out a minor chip, applying dental bonding to larger chips, or even using a dental crown or veneer to restore the integrity of a tooth that has been severely chipped. Leaving a chipped tooth untreated can lead to more severe symptoms, such as sensitivity to temperatures, sugars, and pressure. You can also be at risk of forming an abscess if the chip is severe enough that it breaks through the enamel completely, allowing bacteria to enter the tooth.
To avoid a small chip from becoming more serious, be sure to see your dentist as soon as possible.
Related Article: What Should I Do About My Chipped Tooth?