For many, a chipped tooth is a thing of nightmares.
For many, a chipped tooth is a thing of nightmares, but it’s quite a common occurrence. Chewing on ice, grinding your teeth, biting something hard, and impact injury can all cause a tooth to chip. Even if the tooth that chips is not visible, getting it checked out and fixed is an essential step for your overall wellness and health. Not only can a chipped tooth lead to injury of the mouth and gums, but it can lead to further problems with the affected tooth.
What Happens To A Chipped Tooth
Depending on the severity of the chip several things can happen. If there are sharp edges, you can cause cuts to your tongue, gums, and cheeks. Even a small chip can grow over time and result in more pressing issues. Large chips can also cause sensitivity, tooth decay, bad breath, infection, and damage to the root of the tooth.
When Do You Need Repairs
Regardless of the size and placement of your tooth’s chip, it’s critical that you visit your dentist as soon as possible. In many cases, a chip can simply be filed and filled with a dermal bond so that the tooth is covered and normal looking. If the chip is significant, more work may be needed as if the center of the tooth, known as the dental pulp, is affected it can result in very painful infections.
What Kinds Of Repairs are Typical
Along with the use of a dermal bond cap and filing, you may have a cap or crown put on your tooth. When using a cap or crown, you may need to have a root canal performed first. Usually, a root canal fix is only required if the crack or chip is quite deep.
Preventing a Chipped Tooth
The first step to preventing chipped teeth is to practice good dental hygiene. If your enamel is healthy and you don’t have any tooth decay your teeth will be better able to withstand any risks. That said, accidents do still happen so make sure to reduce them by always wearing a mouthguard while playing sports. Avoiding chewing ice and hard items like pen caps and hard candy can help significantly.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Dental Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, and Pinterest.