You probably know someone who has experienced a chipped tooth, or maybe you have had the misfortune of dealing with one yourself. Naturally, given that this is a common occurrence, you may think it’s nothing to worry about. However, a chipped tooth is not something to take lightly, and in this article, we’ll be discussing why.
Chipped teeth can happen in different ways. Here are some of the most common ones:
Eating Hard Foods: Biting down on hard foods such as ice, popcorn kernels, or hard candy can cause a tooth to chip.
Temperature Extremes: Teeth can also chip when exposed to extreme temperatures. For example, drinking hot coffee and then eating something cold can cause a tooth to crack.
Grinding and Clenching: Bruxism, or the habit of grinding and clenching teeth, can lead to chipped teeth. This condition puts a lot of pressure on teeth and can cause them to weaken over time.
Yes, it does. Delaying to see a dentist or leaving a chipped tooth untreated can lead to serious consequences, such as acute infections, abscesses, and nerve damage. A chipped tooth can also increase the risk of infecting surrounding teeth, which can lead to further damage and decay.
It’s important to seek emergency dental care as soon as possible to prevent further complications.
Now that we've established that a chipped tooth is a dental emergency, how can you know that you have one? Here are five symptoms that can help you catch a chipped tooth:
If you have a chipped tooth, there are several treatments that can save your tooth before the crack widens and spreads down through the root. Here are some of them:
Crowns: Crowns are caps that are placed over the tooth to protect it from further damage and to restore its appearance.
Root Canals: Root canals are done when the tooth’s nerve is damaged, and the tooth is at risk of infection.
Endodontic Surgery: This is done when the root canal treatment is not enough, and the tooth is at risk of extraction.
At Cibolo Family Smiles, we understand that dental emergencies can happen at any time, which is why we offer emergency dental services to our patients. We are available from Monday to Friday to offer prompt and efficient care to those that need us. And it doesn't matter the type of dental emergency you have or the time you come in, we'll attend to you. Contact us today to make an appointment!