Chipping a tooth can be a scary experience, but it's important to take the right steps to protect your tooth and avoid further damage. Although it may appear mild and painless, a chipped tooth is weaker and has a high risk of further chipping or breaking. If left untreated, the tooth can worsen and cause more problems. It's important to take precautionary measures to protect the tooth and schedule a visit to the dentist as soon as possible to receive the restorative treatment you need for your cracked tooth.
Small chips weaken the tooth and can cause the tooth to break even more. As chips develop into larger breaks, you can develop more problems. The tooth may start to hurt and become sensitive to heat and cold. If the tooth remains broken or breaks below the gum line, painful infections can also develop.
A severely chipped tooth will expose important internal structures of the tooth, making it more prone to infections and cavities. Continuing without treatment could cause more nerve damage and an abscess may form. The first step for a person who has chipped a tooth is to avoid panic. People chip their teeth all the time, so it's important to remember that you're not alone. You'll also want to see your dentist if a tooth breaks.
They can take a look and determine if the rupture was caused by tooth decay. If the nerve in the tooth is in danger, you may need a root canal. Seeing your dentist right away can provide you with the right and quick solution for your chipped tooth. For larger chips that the bonding material cannot repair, the dentist may choose to clean the area and apply a cap to protect the rest of the tooth and prevent decay and infection. However, unlike veneers, crowns cover the entire tooth, rather than just the front or visible part of the tooth. A cosmetic dentist can install a veneer over just the broken tooth or several at a time to create a cohesive appearance, making veneers an excellent choice if you want to repair a chipped tooth while improving the overall look of your smile. Sharp edges of a chipped tooth can cut through the cheek, tongue, or gums, causing painful wounds in the mouth that could make talking and eating uncomfortable.
Cracked tooth repair for broken molars tends to be fillings and the second lower molar is considered to be the most prone to chipping, as it requires the most pressure when chewing.Chipped teeth may not seem like a major problem at first, but it's not advisable to ignore them instead of seeking treatment. Applying pressure to a chipped tooth can cause immense pain, and hot and cold temperatures can also be painful. Acidic foods and stomach acids break down enamel and leave the tooth surface exposed and it's more likely to chip or break. Also, keep in mind that if a tooth has been broken or chipped before, that tooth will be more vulnerable and more likely to break down in the future, even after it has been repaired, so you'll want to treat that tooth with special care. While a chipped tooth can range from mild to painful, there are still some steps you can take to relieve pain. If you have chipped a tooth or you have a broken front tooth, you should also floss your other teeth to remove any food that may be trapped between your teeth, which can put even more pressure on the broken tooth. In general, dental crowns are considered the best method to repair a broken tooth when the break or crack caused significant loss of the original tooth.
It's important to remember that if left untreated, a chipped or cracked tooth can worsen over time. Taking precautionary measures such as avoiding acidic foods and flossing regularly can help protect your teeth from further damage. Seeing your dentist right away is essential for restoring your chipped or cracked teeth.
