Is a Chipped Tooth Serious?
The seriousness of a chipped tooth really depends on the severity of the chip. Chipped teeth can happen to anyone and it is important to have the affected tooth treated before further damage can occur. A chipped tooth can result from an accident, grinding your teeth, eating hard foods, decay, and aging. Even if you are not experiencing any pain or sensitivity, it is important to have a chipped tooth evaluated by your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the tooth and surrounding tissue.
Leaving a Chipped Tooth Untreated
If you chip a tooth, leaving it untreated could cause you to experience tooth sensitivity from extreme temperatures and sugars. A chipped tooth is often due to tooth decay so the tooth is already in a weekend state. Tooth decay weakens the strength of the enamel and the density of the tooth which is likely why it chipped in the first place.
You are also likely to experience sensitivity to pressure, causing pain when you chew. Putting pressure on a chipped tooth can cause immense pain and eventually cause the tooth to break altogether.
In order to prevent further damage to the area, it is very important to see your dentist as soon as possible. When you see your dentist, they will perform a simple exam including an x-ray to make sure that there is no underlying decay or bone loss. Since a severely chipped tooth can leave the inner structures of the tooth exposed, it is more vulnerable to cavities and infection. You could damage the nerve of the tooth or an abscess can even form, which is extremely painful and dangerous to your health.
Patients that suffer from bruxism can experience extensive wear on their teeth as well as pain in the jaw upon waking. Bruxism is the unconscious clenching and/or grinding of the teeth that many of us do in our sleep and can contribute to a chipped tooth. Your dentist can make a custom night guard for you to sleep in which will greatly reduce symptoms of bruxism and protect your teeth from stress and chipping. A night guard will also help relax your jaw while you sleep and prevent soreness when you wake up.
Regardless of the extent of a chipped tooth, it is never a good idea to leave it untreated. A minor chip can lead to more serious problems including infection that can spread down into the tooth and even to the jaw and neck. This can affect your body in a negative way so if you have a chipped tooth, it is important to have it evaluated and treated (possibly with dental bonding) by your dentist as soon as possible. A chipped tooth will only get worse over time so it is beneficial to your health and bank account to have it fixed immediately!