Boise Dental Problems With A Chipped Tooth

A chipped tooth is a prevalent Boise dental problem that adults and children in the Treasure Valley suffer from. Aside from biting down on something hard or getting injured, tooth decay or grinding can also cause a tooth to chip. If you’ve recently chipped a tooth, it’s important to understand the potential problems you may run into if you don’t get it fixed right away.

Boise Dental Problems With A Chipped Tooth

A small chip may not seem like a big deal, especially if it’s a tooth no one can see. However, a larger chip can lead to potential problems like sensitivity, bad breath, and infection.

• A chipped tooth can cut your cheek, tongue, and gums
• A large chip can damage the root or pulp of the tooth.
• A large chip can cause sensitivity and bad breath

When To Repair A Chipped Tooth

You should always visit your Boise dentist when you chip a tooth. For small chips, you may not need any major repairs. More often, a small chip can be filed or filled in with a dental bond to make it look and feel normal again.  However, a more significant chip may require extensive dental work to save your tooth.

A large enough chip can damage the pulp inside a tooth. Dental pulp is made up of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue, and can be extremely painful if exposed and left untreated. This, in turn, can cause it to become infected, leading to a root canal procedure or tooth extraction.

Fixing A Chipped Tooth

For a small chip, your dentist may only need to smooth any rough, sharp edges or fill it with a dental bond that matches the natural color of your tooth. Severe chips that don’t damage the root or pulp of your tooth can often be fixed with a cap or crown. If a chip damages the root or pulp of a tooth, a root canal may be needed before a cap or crown can be placed over the tooth.

Preventing A Chipped Tooth

Maintaining good Boise dental health is the first step in preventing a chipped tooth. By visiting your dentist regularly, you can ensure your teeth are healthy without any cavities or tooth decay.

If you play sports, your dentist can help fit you with a proper mouthguard to protect your teeth. Athletes and adolescents that play sports are especially prone to injury. Protective gear like a professionally fitted mouthguard can help save your teeth from sustaining an injury.

Furthermore, you should avoid biting your nails or chewing on hard objects like candy and ice. While hard candy is okay to suck on, you should never bite, break, or chew it.

Summit Dental Group

While you can’t always prevent chipping a tooth, regular Boise dental checkups can help you keep your teeth strong and in the best shape possible.

If you have a chipped tooth and need to have it examined, the Boise dentists at Summit Dental Group will be more than happy to evaluate your teeth and recommend treatment options. Contact us by filling out our online form or give us a call at (208) 314-2275 for an appointment.