Once a tooth is damaged or decaying, it's only a matter of time before it dies. Depending on how heavy the damage, the tooth could die within a matter of days or even a couple of months. Darkened or discolored teeth are often the first sign that your tooth is on its way out.
Depending on the chip, you can leave it until the next day, but it may indeed count as a dental emergency and require immediate attention.
If you let your chipped teeth go without any treatment for over two weeks, then the nerve of your tooth may die, and infection could develop in or around your mouth. It is best to just get it taken care of as soon as possible, so you don't have to suffer from more pain than necessary later down the road.
If the chip in the tooth is very tiny and has not compromised the enamel to any significant degree, it may be perfectly possible to leave the chip as it is.
Without professional treatment, the broken tooth is susceptible to an infection that will only get worse over time. This infection can move to the neck and head, causing all sorts of health problems. While rare, it is possible for a chipped tooth to prove life-threatening. Do not let this happen to you.
Leaving a broken tooth untreated can also potentially cause more risk of other surrounding teeth becoming infected as well, impacting overall health. Complete, immediate repairs are always best. The longer you wait, the more in-depth treatment could be.
You may not feel any pain when you first damage a tooth but this should not stop you from booking a visit with your dentist immediately. If you delay or even skip that appointment, the broken or chipped tooth may end up infected, causing irreversible damage.
If you have a broken or chipped tooth, you should always see a dentist immediately to fix a chipped tooth. In the meantime, there are some steps you can take to minimize the pain and lower the chances of further injury to the tooth until you can see a dentist.
You can still brush a broken tooth, but you should be gentle and very careful while doing so. Brushing too hard could cause pain or further damage to the tooth, especially if the nerves on the inside of the tooth are exposed. Flossing around a damaged tooth may help to reduce pain or pressure on the broken tooth.
Smaller chips are usually not problematic unless they are sharp, then they could possibly cut your mouth. However, if your chipped tooth is significant enough, it could lead to more serious problems such as pain, hot/cold sensitivity, bad breath, swollen glands, and even infected roots.
The biggest risks of leaving a cracked tooth untreated are that severe pain and sensitivity can develop, gum swelling and tenderness can occur, and the likelihood of oral infection is much higher.
If a chipped tooth exposes the nerves inside a tooth, you might notice increased tooth sensitivity and pain when chewing or when the chipped tooth is exposed to very hot or very cold food and beverages. A chip on one of the pointed chewing surfaces of the back teeth is called a broken cusp.
Smaller chips do not cause as much damage at first but can develop complications. Small chips can also be sharp and cut your inner cheek. Additionally, small chips weaken the tooth and can cause the tooth to break further. As chips develop into bigger breaks, you may develop more problems.
Don't Eat or Drink Unless Necessary
If you can't get your tooth fixed for another day and a half, you'll likely have to eat and drink something before then. But if at all possible, you should at least avoid solid foods, sugary or acidic foods and beverages, and anything that's hot or cold.
Filling or Bonding
Small chips can be repaired with fillings or dental bonding, depending on where the chip is located. If the enamel has chipped off a back tooth, then a filling will be the likely solution. However, if the chip is visible when you smile, tooth-colored cosmetic bonding may be the better solution.
Besides plaque acids, teeth can also be worn down by other acids in your diet, such as fruit juices, carbonated drinks and wine. Teeth can also be exposed to damaging acids from medical conditions such as acid reflux, heartburn and morning sickness during pregnancy.
However, a cracked or chipped tooth doesn't always hurt. If the break in your tooth doesn't reach the pulp—the innermost part of the tooth which contains the tooth's nerve endings—it likely won't hurt. Similarly, some cracks only hurt when chewing, especially when releasing a bite.
Do chipped teeth get worse? Yes, if a chipped tooth is left untreated, it is likely to get worse over time. At best, it will simply spoil your smile or cause pain and sensitivity; at worst, it could result in infection or even tooth loss.
A chipped tooth can lead to tooth decay. Bacteria are always inside your mouth. A chipped tooth is a portal to decay. To understand how your damaged tooth can lead to tooth decay, here is some inside information.
Usually, a chipped tooth is nothing to worry about, especially if it's only a small part that broke off. It's surprisingly pretty common for children and adults alike to suffer from an accidental fall, resulting in a small chip in their front teeth. But rather than stressing over it, take note of how you feel.
Although it isn't as common, your teeth can end up breaking into tiny pieces. However, this only happens when oral hygiene is neglected. It could also stem from tooth decay or suffering from a serious facial trauma injury. Regardless of the reason, ignoring a damaged tooth can cause severe repercussions.
If you chip or break part of your tooth, you mightn't feel any pain so it may be tempting to skip or delay a visit to the dentist. But doing so can lead to further damage to your tooth. The chip may allow bacteria to infect your tooth, causing irreversible damage.
A chipped tooth usually occurs because of some sort of trauma, such as a fall or a blow to the mouth. It can also occur because of biting down on a substance that is too hard. If your tooth is decayed, a chip is more likely, but it can also happen to perfectly healthy teeth.