Possible Complications You Might Get From A Chipped Tooth And How Your Dentist Can Fix The Chip
Your teeth are strong and can take a lot of abuse, but it's still possible to chip the enamel when you munch on ice or other hard things. A chip in a tooth isn't always a dental emergency, but it's a good idea to let your family dentist take a look at the chip to see if it needs to be repaired. Here are some possible complications of a chipped tooth and how a dentist can help you with them.
Possible Problems With A Chipped Tooth
One thing that can be troublesome immediately is when the chip leaves a sharp edge on the tooth and your tooth scratches your tongue or cheek. This can lead to soreness and irritation. You may have discomfort every time you speak or eat, as well. If the chip is deep enough, it might also harm the health of your tooth. Decay might start in the chipped area or bacteria might get inside the tooth and affect the root, and this can lead to the need for a root canal. Plus, a dental infection can be painful.
Another unpleasant side effect of chipping your tooth is that it can affect your appearance if it's a front tooth that's chipped. You may feel self-conscious when you smile and want to cover your mouth when you speak or laugh.
Treatments Your Dentist Can Provide
You probably don't need to see a specialist for a chipped tooth. A general dentist has several treatments that will help you. If the chip is sharp and cuts your gums or cheek, the dentist may file down the sharp edge and even out the tooth so that the chip isn't noticeable. If the chip is in the front, you'll probably want it repaired so it doesn't affect your smile. The dentist might do this by filling in the chip with bonding material that matches the color of your teeth.
A bad chip might require a crown so that the tooth is stable and the root protected. If an infection gets in the root, then a root canal might be needed. A root canal could possibly be avoided by seeing your dentist soon after the chip instead of waiting until you have pain and infection in the tooth.
Chips often happen when you least expect it, but you can reduce your risk of chips happening by being careful about what you eat. Avoid crunching on hard foods and ice. Also, watch for hard kernels when you're eating popcorn. In addition, don't use your teeth as an opener or to pry things apart. Be especially careful if you have problems with decay and fillings since those teeth may not be as strong as healthy teeth. However, having healthy teeth alone won't protect you from a chip. One strong bite or a fall on your face could give you a chip even when your teeth are strong and healthy.
Contact a dentist in your area to learn more about what you can do to address or avoid chipped teeth.