If you have just a small chip off of one of your teeth, you may not think it’s that big of a deal. This is especially true if the chipped tooth doesn’t hurt. But when a tooth starts to chip, you need to come in so we can treat it as soon as you can. There are a number of different reasons why.
It’s Sharp
It’s possible your tooth may have broken off in such a way as to leave behind a sharp point. This jagged part of your tooth could actually cut your tongue, causing pain and bleeding. You can’t always tell if your chipped tooth has any of these jagged, sharp parts, either, since you can’t see the back of it.
They are Sensitive to Temperature or Pressure
The part of your tooth that broke off could have exposed the root of the tooth. If you bite down on something or if you eat or drink something really hot or cold, it could hit the root and cause extreme pain. It’s also possible that biting down on a chipped tooth could cause it to break even more. A chip often indicates that the tooth has been weakened by a cavity, which means it could easily break even more.
Your Tooth Could Get Infected
Finally, the chip in your tooth presents an opening for bacteria. They could get down into the root of the tooth and cause an infection. This could lead to an abscess or an infection in your gums. Both are severe and need to be treated as quickly as possible.
If you’ve chipped a tooth, don’t assume it’s fine just because it doesn’t hurt. Call us today to make an appointment so we can repair the damage before it becomes more serious than it already is.
