Chipped Tooth? Here’s What to Do and When to See a Dentist

Our teeth are so powerful that they can chew through huge vegetables or meat. Regretfully, they can still chip, break, or crack. A chipped tooth may not hurt at first, but it may cause intermittent pain because the nerves in the tooth are no longer secure. How do you handle a chipped tooth, then?

What Causes a Chipped Tooth? 

Dental Decay

The most common reason people seek dental treatment is tooth decay, caused by acids produced by food particles and oral bacteria. These acids degrade tooth structure by dissolving it and leaving behind microscopic holes known as cavities. When a tooth is subjected to bite forces during a meal, decay can weaken it to the point where a portion of it chips off.

Facial Trauma

A forceful hit to the face can also chip a tooth. This may be the result of a mishap, such as slipping or sustaining a hard impact while playing contact sports. The damage may ultimately harm the tooth’s roots and other structures below the gum line.

An Unpleasant Bite

Certain teeth are subjected to higher forces than they are intended to withstand due to a poor bite. Consequently, these teeth steadily deteriorate until portions of their structures fracture. Until the patient’s bite problems are resolved, a poor bite will continue to place undue stress on certain teeth.

Harmful Habits

Bad habits like biting one’s nails or chewing on ice can cause a tooth to chip. By providing patients with devices such as nightguards, a Cedar Park dentist can help address habits like tooth grinding. A nightguard lessens the strain that tooth grinding puts on their teeth, reducing the likelihood that their teeth will shatter.

Immediate Solution for the Problem

You might not be able to visit your dentist right away if you or your child has a chipped tooth. Nonetheless, there are certain home cures that might lessen the pain and swelling. Among them are:

• Taking over-the-counter painkillers
• Using mouthwash to rinse away any debris from the tooth’s sharp edges
• Using an ice pack indirectly if the discomfort doesn’t go away

Visit your local emergency department right away if the chipped tooth resulted from a highly traumatic event that caused severe pain and bleeding.

When You Should See a Dentist?

• Your front tooth was unintentionally chipped.
• A chipped tooth following root canal therapy.
• A tooth had chips all the way up to the gum line.
• The tooth hurts, and a significant portion of it is chipped.

Treatments for a chipped tooth

Bonding

Your dentist will probably recommend bonding as the best course of action to repair a chipped front tooth. To make a mold, a composite resin material is applied to your tooth. The composite will then be shaped into the chip by your dentist so that it looks like a part of the tooth.

Crowns

Veneers and crowns are similar in that they are both composed of porcelain. A crown envelops the entire tooth, whereas veneers cover the front of your chipped tooth. Crowns are a great option when the chip is large, and a large portion of the tooth is missing. Additionally, there are various types of crowns used to fixing chipped teeth.

Dental Implants

Getting a dental implant is the last resort when you are thinking about how to fix a chipped tooth. Only the most serious cracks, where very little tooth is left above the gum line, should be treated with this method. In this case, your dentist would remove the tooth and allow it to heal before placing the implant.

After the gum line has healed, a permanent metal post will be installed. Eventually, a tooth implant that feels and looks like a natural tooth will be inserted into the post.

Can It Get Worse if Left Untreated?

Even though chipped teeth don’t always hurt, neglecting them increases your chances of the following:

Increased tooth sensitivity: The sensitivity of your chipped tooth to heat and cold increases. It occurs when the inner layer of your tooth has been damaged.

Raises your risk of dental decay and infection: Tooth damage can leave tiny areas where germs can grow. Bacteria will have an easier time attacking your dentin and causing pain and illness when plaque builds up in the cracks and crevices of your chipped tooth.

May result in oral cuts: Your tooth may have sharp edges if it has been chipped due to trauma or poor biting. Every time you talk or eat, these rough edges have the potential to sever the soft tissues in your mouth. Untreated cuts can become infected and lead to new dental problems.

How does Reveal Dental Help Restore a Chipped Tooth?

It is usually necessary to treat or repair a chipped tooth. The best way to start is to work with our dental care team in Cedar Park, so we can evaluate and determine the best course of action. To begin or to find out more, get in touch right now.