Your teeth have a strong enamel layer that protects them from potential damage so that the dentin and pulp of the tooth are not affected by bacteria, acids, and other substances. However, this layer is not invincible, and it can get chipped or cracked in various ways. A chipped tooth can be distressing, but there are several ways Lovett Dental Pearland can offer ways of treating a chipped tooth.
How Does Tooth Chipping Happen?
There are a few reasons that teeth end up chipping, and they may be indicative of another dental problem. One of the most common causes is when your teeth impact a hard surface. For example, if you trip and fall, hitting your mouth against the side of the wall or table, the impact could chip your tooth. You’re particularly at risk of that if your mouth is open on the impact. But emergency dental services can address this.
Another way that a tooth gets chipped is when you bite down on something too hard. Hard candy may be too much for your tooth, or a burnt piece of food could be the culprit.
Your tooth may have pre-existing damage that’s hard to see on the surface, or the inside may be weakened because of a cavity. When something hard to chew gets in your mouth, that might be the catalyst it needed to chip.
Grinding your teeth, either consciously or unconsciously, is another way that your teeth may get chipped. Since that puts a lot of pressure on the surfaces of the teeth, it could wear away at them over time.
What Problems Stem from a Chipped Tooth?
The issues that you could encounter from a chipped tooth depend on its severity. If the tooth has chipped so that it’s exposing the pulp, you will most likely feel a lot of pain from it. Your tooth could have heat and cold sensitivity since these temperatures hit the pulp rather than the enamel. It’s extremely sensitive, which leads to these uncomfortable feelings.
Bacteria can get inside your tooth, and they can start rotting it. These cavities are unpleasant, painful, and could lead to the tooth dying.
When your mouth hurts because of a chipped tooth, you may have difficulty eating or drinking. It may also be hard to concentrate on your daily activities or to manage to sleep.
How Do You Know If You Have a Chipped Tooth?
You can physically observe your teeth to see whether one has an uneven surface in the mirror. If you suspect that your tooth is chipped in an area that you can’t easily see, you can feel around your mouth with your tongue to confirm the issue.
Of course, your dentist will be able to confirm if your suspicions are true. If you have a chipped tooth, they will evaluate the best treatment options moving forward. The sensations that you might feel include:
- Discomfort
- Tooth movement
- Gaps between teeth
- Tooth ridges
Look to Lovett Dental Pearland for Treating a Chipped Tooth
Your dentist will look at several factors to determine the best course of action for your tooth. If it’s a minor chip that doesn’t open up the tooth’s inner layers to air, you might not need any treatment. For more severe chips, they may need to repair them. One option for a chipped tooth could be putting a crown in place or filling the created cavity. The dentist will go over all of your options and then help you fix the problem at that appointment in most cases.
If your chipped tooth is extremely broken, you may need to go into oral surgery for repair. You typically would have some diagnostic testing is done, such as an X-ray, to determine whether the tooth can be saved or if a root canal or a similar treatment option would be better. Contact us at 281-416-5844 to schedule an appointment to look at your chipped tooth.
