When you have a chipped tooth, it is important not to ignore it. If you do, you are at risk for more serious dental problems. For instance, your chipped front tooth will weaken over time and eventually break if you do not repair it. Even though your damaged pearly whites might not hurt initially, the pain can develop over time.
For example, when the roots become exposed, your teeth will become sensitive to cold temperatures. If you have a chipped tooth, this means that part of your tooth is showing. This can result in severe tooth cavities and other teeth and body infections.
The Difference between a Chipped and Cracked Tooth
A tooth chip is a break in your tooth that is usually not as deep as a crack. You may need to realize you have chipped your tooth. A chipped tooth may involve the enamel, the hard outer layer of your tooth, or it may extend into the dentine, the softer layer underneath the enamel.
You may not notice the symptoms immediately if you have a chipped tooth. The symptoms will become more prevalent if the chip runs deep, exposing the nerves on the affected tooth’s interior layers.
On the other hand, a crack in your tooth will cause pain when you chew or bite down hard on something. The flexing of your tooth cusps causes pain. If you don’t fix your cracked tooth, it could get worse and damage your tooth nerves and roots.
So while a cracked tooth is obvious and alarming, a chipped tooth is more insidious, causing slow damage over time until it and the surrounding areas are infected beyond repair. At that point, the only solution is extraction.
Fix a Chipped Tooth for These Reasons
If you have a chipped tooth and do not fix it, you may experience cuts in your mouth from the jagged edges of the tooth. The tooth may also become more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. Additionally, the tooth may break further, and you may get an infection.
- Oral cuts: Chipped teeth are usually broken off at the gum line and have jagged edges. These jagged edges can cut your gums, cheek, and tongue and introduce painful wounds into your mouth. This can make it difficult to talk and eat comfortably.
- Sensitivity: When your tooth enamel is worn down or missing, the inner tooth nerves become exposed. This makes your tooth even more sensitive to cold and hot temperatures, sugary or acidic foods and drinks, and chewing pressure.
- A broken tooth: When you chip a tooth, it weakens the tooth structure and makes it more susceptible to breaking, especially when you chew on something hard. If you break a tooth, you will need more complex treatments to restore the tooth, which is more difficult than simply fixing a chipped tooth.
- Infection: Aside from the entry of bacteria and the development of cavities, deep chips in teeth may eventually lead to severe toothaches requiring a root canal or emergency tooth extraction.
In Summary
While not as obvious as cracked teeth, chips in your pearly whites will escalate into alarming concerns that could have been prevented at the onset. Consult a dental professional immediately if you notice a chip or two on your teeth.
Set Your Appointment at Shallowford Family Dental Right Now
Get the best possible care for a chipped tooth at Shallowford Family Dental. Our professionals have over 75 years of combined expertise handling various fields such as general, cosmetic, restorative, and pediatric dentistry. Book now through our website!