Chipped teeth are common dental injuries that, while unsightly, can often be painless or barely noticeable. If you find yourself with a chipped tooth, you may be tempted to assume that it will get better on its own and forgo seeing your dentist. Unfortunately, teeth do not have the ability to regrow lost enamel and chips can make them more vulnerable to further injury and infection. Here’s why it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible after chipping a tooth.
What Happens When I Chip a Tooth?
A tooth can be chipped for reasons like a sports injury, teeth grinding, or using the teeth as tools to open packages or bottles. While teeth can replace minerals in their enamel lost to acid erosion by bathing in healthy saliva, they cannot regenerate lost parts of this important protective layer. A chip in a tooth represents a weak point that can degrade further as the patient chews, making the tooth vulnerable to injuries and infections that can eventually lead to its loss.
What Should I Do When I Chip a Tooth?
While chipped teeth always require dental treatment, the urgency of the situation depends on the severity of the injury. Minor chips can usually wait a few days or until your next routine appointment if it’s coming up, but more severe chips require immediate attention. In minor cases, dental bonding is often an adequate way to protect and reinforce the tooth, but a dental crown or veneer may be needed in more severe cases. In situations where the pulp is exposed or a crack forms down to the root, treatments like a root canal or extraction and replacement may be necessary.
Whenever you chip a tooth, contact your dentist to describe your problem, receive further instructions, and book an appointment.
How Can I Prevent Chipped Teeth?
The best way to treat a chipped tooth is to avoid having one in the first place. A few great ways to prevent these problems include:
- Practicing excellent oral hygiene
- Seeing your dentist regularly
- Wearing a mouthguard while playing sports or riding a bike
- Wearing a nightguard to bed if you grind your teeth in your sleep
- Enjoying acidic or sugary foods and drinks in moderation
- Never using your teeth to open bottles or packages
- Never chewing on non-food items like paperclips, pens, toothpicks, or ice
It’s important to treat chips promptly to keep your teeth healthy. Getting the help you need sooner can prevent the situation from getting worse and keep you smiling beautifully.
About the Practice
Arts Family Dentistry of Dallas offers the finest dental care for patients of all ages in Dallas, TX. Led by Drs. Shayan Azimi and Jay Patel, the staff ensures that each patient receives effective and compassionate treatments in a friendly and calming environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you need care for a chipped tooth, contact the office online or dial (469) 981-1700.
