When to See a Dentist About a Chipped Tooth

Having a chipped tooth is no laughing matter! The effects of dental chips vary depending on the size and depth of the chip, but if left untreated, they can lead to much more serious problems down the road. The best way to deal with chipped teeth is to visit a dentist immediately to discuss treatment options. Read on to learn more about when someone should see a dentist about chipped teeth and when they might be able to wait it out until their next routine cleaning appointment instead.

If patients are not getting any relief from over-the-counter painkillers

Tooth pain is often caused by tooth decay, also called cavities. Over time, cavities can cause damage that results in an infection or abscess, which is much more painful than normal tooth pain. If a patient is not getting any relief from over-the-counter painkillers, it may be time to seek treatment for their broken tooth. A dentist will have tools to give them temporary relief until the dentist can work on replacing or repairing the tooth in their office.

If someone has a broken tooth and are unsure if they need to see your dentist, a few key signs can help them decide. For example, if they are experiencing sharp pain from their chipped tooth along with redness or swelling around it, it may be time for treatment from a dentist. Other telltale signs include significant pain when chewing on that side of the mouth or ongoing pain even after taking medication or icing. In some cases, teeth may even become sensitive when touched by ice-cold water. These are all signs that treatment is needed for chipped teeth, so it is best to consult with a professoinal dentist. 

If the nerve is exposed

If the person can see white areas in their  tooth, those are signs that they may have chipped their tooth and exposed its nerve. It is important to visit a dentist as soon as possible whenever that happens. Nerves hurt but can also cause more serious damage if left untreated. With exposure comes infection risk, another good reason for getting help ASAP. 

If the person does not see nerve damage, but their tooth still hurts and has become sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, they should still see a dentist as soon as possible. The teeth can fracture without them even knowing it. Depending on how deep and serious your crack is, it could take more than one visit with a dentist before he or she can completely fix the tooth. However, there are steps that can be taken n-between visits. 

If it feels like there is something stuck between the teeth

The feeling of something stuck in the teeth can be alarming and unpleasant. However, it is not uncommon for people to feel this way when they have a tooth that is chipped, which can result from biting down on something hard or when food gets caught in the crack of the tooth. When someone feels something is between their teeth, it is important they see a dentist as soon as possible because the chipping will likely worsen if left untreated.

If it feels like food or another object stuck between the teeth, it is probably safe to say that help is needed from a dentist. A dentist can easily remove whatever is stuck in there, and they might even be able to tell what it was if they had the opportunity to examine the mouth closely. It's important for patients to remember that it is not safe to attempt removal of objects or debris that are lodged deep down into the gum as it could result in injury.

Turn to a dentist for chipped tooth repair 

It can be hard to know when a patient should see a dentist about a broken tooth, but it is important for oral health. There are many different factors that need to be taken into consideration, such as the size of the chip and whether or not there is any pain from it. If the tooth has been damaged for over two weeks and is bothersome, then it is time to call a dentist. 

With work, school, and other commitments, scheduling time to see the dentist can be difficult. However, it is important to set time aside so they can diagnose the tooth issue and decide what needs to happen next.

Ignoring a chipped tooth could lead to further damage in the future. It is always best to get professional help as soon as possible if something doesn't feel quite right. 

Request an appointment here: https://pearlcity.diamondheaddentalcare.com or call Diamond Head Dental Care at (808) 214-9287 for an appointment in our Pearl City office.

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