Should I Go to the Dentist for a Chipped Tooth?

Did you or a family member chip a tooth? If you have a chipped tooth, you should visit the dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to assess the damage and determine the best course of treatment. It is best to have a dentist examine the damage to the tooth even if it seems minor and there is no pain. An exam reduces the chance of a more costly fix needed in the future and reduces the risk of the tooth becoming infected.

What can happen if you don't treat a chipped tooth?

If you don't treat a chipped tooth, you may experience several problems. These include infection and pain.

If the chipped tooth is not treated, it can become infected. This can lead to pain, swelling, and fever. Inside of a tooth contains the pulp. A tooth's pulp has nerve endings and provides blood supply keeping the tooth alive. 

A chip, even a tiny chip, can allow bacteria to enter inside of the pulp and lead to infection and tooth death.

Sometimes even severe blows to a tooth that don't appear to have damaged the tooth can result in the pulp dying, sometimes even years later.

And, of course, pain can result from a chipped tooth. A chipped tooth can be very painful. However, not having pain should not be your deciding factor regarding whether you should go to the dentist or not.

It does not matter if you have minor symptoms, no symptoms at all, or are in considerable pain. While your chipped tooth might not spur immediate pain, an infection can set in and compromise your oral health as well as your health as a whole.

Treatment options for a chipped tooth

The severity of the chip determines treatment options. If the tooth has cracked all the way through, it may need a crown, root canal, or even an extraction, depending upon the severity. 

If the tooth is sound and there is just a minor jagged edge, then your tooth may only need a little filing to smooth out any rough edges to prevent hurting your tongue or soft tissue.

If the chip falls somewhere in between, the dentist may fill or bond the tooth with a plastic resin material to seal and restore your tooth's natural shape and prevent infection.

Lastly, no treatment may be needed if the chip is minor. However, keep a watchful eye on the area and let your dentist know if you experience any changes in taste, color, or experience pain, as these are all signs the tooth has become infected or is dying.

If you are unsure whether or not you should go to the dentist and you are in the Salem, MA area, give us a call, and we can help.