Do Chipped Teeth Heal on Their Own?

It’s a royal drag to wake up in the morning and realize that you chipped a tooth due to grinding your teeth in your sleep, and it’s no better when it happens while you are eating or as a result of an accident. While you might be tempted to write the problem off and assume the injury will heal on its own, chipped teeth require dental attention in order to be repaired. Here’s why you should see your dentist after discovering a chipped tooth.

How Do Teeth Become Chipped and What Are the Symptoms?

Chipped teeth can result from a variety of causes such as teeth grinding, contact sports, auto accidents, tripping, falling, chewing on something too hard, or using teeth as tools. A chipped tooth may cause symptoms such as:

• Discomfort
• Sensitivity
• Swelling
• Visible damage to the tooth

How Urgently Does My Chipped Tooth Need to Be Treated?

While a chipped tooth always needs to be treated, the urgency of getting the treatment depends on the severity of the chip. For a minor chip, the patient can probably stand to just use over-the-counter pain medication while continuing to practice proper oral hygiene and waiting for their next scheduled dental appointment. More severe chips probably require emergency dental or medical care to prevent infections that can lead to tooth loss.

How Can a Chipped Tooth Be Treated?

A chipped tooth can be treated with dental bonding, a veneer, or a dental crown if only the outer layers are affected. If the chip is severe enough to expose the pulp within the tooth, the patient will probably require a root canal. In some rare and extreme cases, the tooth may have to be extracted to prevent future infections.

While it’s important to have it treated to prevent further damage, a chipped tooth is not the worst possible dental injury. Normally, the issue can wait to be treated at your next dentist’s appointment, but knowing how to identify the severity of the chip can help you know when to get more urgent care when you need it.

About the Practice

Norwood Dental Care offers the finest dental health services available in Norwood, MA. Led by Drs. John and David Michaels, the skilled staff delivers high-quality treatments with remarkable results. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. For more information on taking care of chipped teeth, contact the office online or dial (781) 769-6140.