If you have a chipped tooth, you should contact us as soon as possible. Not treating a chipped tooth in a timely manner will cause significant problems down the line.
Here is a look at how the failure to seek proper treatment for a chipped tooth will hinder your oral health.
Leaving a Chipped Tooth Untreated
Without professional treatment, the broken tooth is susceptible to an infection that will only get worse over time. This infection can move to the neck and head, causing all sorts of health problems. While rare, it is possible for a chipped tooth to prove life-threatening.
Do not let this happen to you. Meet with a dentist after chipping your tooth to help reduce the pain, ensuring the chip does not lead to additional problems.
Why Visiting With the Dentist is Necessary
It does not matter if you have minor symptoms, no symptoms at all or considerable pain. An analysis of your chipped tooth is necessary to preserve your oral health. The failure to obtain timely treatment at a dentist’s office will cause the pain to linger. Removing the tooth may also become a solution. 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.
If the tooth hurts, changes color or proves sensitive to heat, the pulp portion of the tooth might have serious damage. You need the trained eye of a dentist to determine if the root has any damage or if there is a possible infection. An infection can occur if the break is severe enough to expose the tooth’s pulp.
The pulp is the portion of the tooth containing blood vessels and nerves. Bacteria that moves into the mouth has the potential to move to the pulp and cause an infection. It is possible for pulp tissue to die as a result of the chip.
Treatment Options
If you have compromised dental pulp, you will need root canal therapy in order to eliminate the infected tissue and apply a sealing. In some cases, a root canal will prove unnecessary. The manner of repairing the chipped tooth hinges on the extent of the damage.
Minor chips, cracks or breaks can be repaired through dental bonding or a filling. A dental crown will likely be necessary for large breaks. However, if only a small portion of the enamel is missing, a filling can be a repair option. If there is a crack in the front of the tooth, then the dentist will use dental bonding to repair it.
How to Proceed Until You can Meet With the Dentist
You can do a couple things on your own to reduce discomfort before meeting with us. Rinse your mouth with salt water, take a pain reliever and cover the sharp portion of the chip with dental wax. If you do not have dental wax, apply some sugar-free gum to the sharp edge. Restrict your diet to soft foods and do not bite down until you meet with us.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with us, call us today.
Request a dental appointment here: https://www.drlamming.com or call Scott G. Lamming DDS at (949) 245-0577 for an appointment in our San Juan Capistrano dental office.
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FAQs
Deep chips can cause bacteria to enter the tooth, leading to damage, infections, and abscesses in the pulp and root, painful toothaches, and potentially requiring root canals or extractions.
What happens if you don't treat a chipped tooth? ›
Infection. A chipped tooth can lead to an infection. The soft tissue inside your mouth is filled with bacteria, and if it gets in contact with saliva or blood from your injury, it can quickly get infected. Infections in your mouth may also go unnoticed and lead to other complications such as abscesses or tooth decay.
What happens if a broken tooth is left untreated? ›
Additionally, leaving a broken tooth unattended for too long can lead to more significant discomfort, pain, swelling, and increased tooth sensitivity when eating hot and cold foods. If this occurs, emergency dental services are necessary in order to prevent further damage and provide relief from symptoms.
What happens if you break a tooth and don't get it fixed? ›
This can lead to an abscess or a pocket of bacteria that can cause infection. This infection, if unnoticed, can spread to other parts of the body and become a serious health concern. Moreover, a broken tooth can often cause nerve damage and may eventually lead to a root canal.
What happens if you don't fix a chipped filling? ›
You may even need a root canal or other dental emergency. In rare instances, you may need the broken tooth extracted and replaced with a dental implant. Occasionally, we may refer you to a specialist such as a root canal specialist or a more specialized cosmetic dentist.
Can you leave a chipped tooth untreated for a month? ›
It Could Get an Infection – Which Could Spread
One of the worst-case scenarios would be an untreated chipped tooth leaving your tooth's inner structure vulnerable to infections. This could even turn into an abscess, or the infection could spread. That could be potentially life-threatening.
Is it bad to ignore a chipped tooth? ›
You may not feel any pain when you first damage a tooth but this should not stop you from booking a visit with your dentist immediately. If you delay or even skip that appointment, the broken or chipped tooth may end up infected, causing irreversible damage.
Can you live with a chipped tooth? ›
Fixing a chipped tooth is sometimes for cosmetic reasons only. There may be situations where this condition poses no risks to a person's health. If it is not bothering the patient, the dentist may choose not to treat it. Not treating it may make sense if there is no pain and if the tooth is not decayed or infected.
How long can I leave a broken tooth in my mouth? ›
Patients who have a severely broken tooth are advised to see a dentist within a day of the injury occurring. If that is not possible, the patient should use dental cement to cover up the broken tooth while waiting for an appointment.
Can a chipped tooth get infected? ›
An untreated broken or chipped tooth can lead to an infection if the tooth's pulp is exposed. The pulp is part of the tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves, and tissues that keep the tooth alive. When bacteria enter the tooth and infect the pulp, the tooth's tissue can die.
If you have a chipped tooth, you can expect infection to set in as quickly as a week or up to a few months later. The important thing is to take care of the chipped tooth as soon as possible so that you can avoid infection.
Can I wait a week to fix a chipped tooth? ›
If you have a broken or chipped tooth, you should always see a dentist immediately to fix a chipped tooth. In the meantime, there are some steps you can take to minimize the pain and lower the chances of further injury to the tooth until you can see a dentist.
Will a chipped tooth get worse? ›
Yes, if a chipped tooth is left untreated, it is likely to get worse over time. At best, it will simply spoil your smile or cause pain and sensitivity; at worst, it could result in infection or even tooth loss.
Is a small chipped tooth serious? ›
Chipping, breaking or cracking a tooth is usually not serious. A dentist should be able to treat it.
How to fill a hole in a tooth at home? ›
Some online content suggests that home remedies can treat tooth decay, but this is not true. There is no way to fill up a tooth cavity or treat it at home. The best you can hope for is relieving the symptoms of cavities. It would be best to visit the dentist for proper tooth hole treatment.
Can a chipped tooth filling fell out? ›
There is a chemical reaction that loosens the bonds of the tooth filling. A broken or cracked tooth might exert pressure on a filling, causing it to fall out. Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, can cause a filling to fall out.
How long can a chipped tooth last for? ›
If your dentist completes a chipped tooth repair in ten minutes or less, it'll fail. But composite bonding for chipped teeth won't last forever. We'd generally say between five and seven years. This is also highly dependent on how well you look after it.
How do you know if a chipped tooth is serious? ›
Instead, visit your dentist as soon as you notice a chipped tooth. Symptoms that indicate infection include pain, swelling in the mouth or throat, and bleeding gums. Request an appointment here: https://www.smilebeautification.com or call Rolando Cibischino D.M.D.
Is it ever too late to fix a chipped tooth? ›
Dentists will always try to save a tooth when it's possible, but teeth that are too badly damaged may need to be removed to maintain your oral health. If you notice a problem with any of your teeth, it's important to see a dentist as soon as possible.
