Chipped Teeth: Symptoms And Treatment

What Is A Chipped Tooth?

A chipped tooth is where the tooth enamel is missing, exposing the more sensitive layer of the tooth, which is prone to dental decay and cavities. The tooth could be missing a small piece of enamel or have a crack. In accidents like slipping and falling, a tooth could develop a break in it, which is another type of chipped tooth.

Slightly chipped teeth alter your smile, and the pockets where the chips are can become stained. Deeper chips can develop dental decay and, eventually, cavities. Untreated chipped teeth lead to infections in the tooth’s interior and root.  

Risk Factors For Chipped Teeth

Some of the more common risk factors that can cause chipped teeth are:

• Facial injuries and trauma
• Clenching or grinding the teeth
• Uneven chewing
• Poor dental hygiene leading to tooth decay
• Using the teeth to open packages or in place of other tools
• Biting down hard when eating
• Consuming an excessive amount of acidic foods
• Consuming sugary snacks and beverages
• Acid reflux
• Your age

Common Causes Of Chipped Teeth

The most common causes of chipped teeth are:

• Facial injuries
• Chewing ice
• Teeth grinding
• Teeth clenching
• Using your teeth for anything but eating or drinking
• Poor dental hygiene

Symptoms Of A Chipped Tooth

Symptoms of a chipped tooth will vary based on the extent of damage but could include:

• Visual damage: There will be a part of the tooth where the enamel will no longer be present. 
• Tooth sensitivity: The tooth can become sensitive to hot or cold after it is chipped and the layer under the enamel is exposed.
• Tooth pain: You could experience tooth pain after chipping a tooth.
• Swelling: The area around the tooth could become swollen, depending on what caused the chip.
• Bleeding: There could be some bleeding around the gumline if the chip occurred from an accident or facial trauma. 

Toothache: If the tooth becomes infected, you can experience a toothache.

Self-Care If You Have A Chipped Tooth

Until you can see a dentist, you need to care for the chipped tooth using one or more of these methods:

• Over-the-counter medication: You can take acetaminophen or another over-the-counter medication to relieve pain. 
• Ice packs: Wrapping an ice pack in a towel and applying it to the exterior of the face in the area of the chipped tooth can help to reduce swelling and pain. Leave the ice pack on for about 15 to 20 minutes and wait an hour in between applications.
• Saltwater rinse: Rinsing with warm water mixed with salt can help to address bleeding. 
• Soft foods: To prevent further damage, you should stick with soft foods until you can have the chipped tooth repaired by your dentist. 

Complications Of Chipped Teeth

Untreated chipped teeth can lead to different complications the longer they go untreated. Initially, minor chips may only be some changes in how you chew and bite down. Over time, other issues can develop, including:

• Tooth sensitivity: Chipped teeth cause the enamel to be removed, exposing the dentin layer. This layer can be highly sensitive to hot and cold food and drinks and even cause pain from the sensitivity.  
• Tooth decay and cavities: Once the dentin layer is exposed, it is prone to tooth decay, resulting in a cavity that needs to be filled before the tooth becomes infected. 
• Infections: After the tooth decay has eaten through the dentin layer, it reaches the pulp layer, which consists of nerves and blood vessels. At this stage, the bacteria in the tooth decay can cause the pulp layer to become infected. The infection will eventually spread into the tooth root. 
• Pain and discomfort: Pain and discomfort can occur as the infection spreads and worsens.
• Tooth abscess: A tooth abscess occurs when a cavity has spread and is untreated. The bacteria has made its way into the tooth’s root and can spread into the jaw bone. An abscess tooth can be painful and should be treated as a dental emergency. 
• Gum swelling and bleeding: If the tooth becomes infected, the gum tissue around it can swell and bleed. 
• Tooth loss: In cases where the infection has spread into the root and the tooth can no longer be saved with a root canal, you will need a tooth extraction. After the tooth is extracted, the infection still needs to be treated to prevent it from spreading into the surrounding teeth. 

Chipped Tooth Treatments

Several chipped tooth treatments are available from our Houston dentists, depending on the severity of the chip. 

• Polishing: For shallow chips, where part of the enamel still remains, polishing can be used to smooth the tooth and remove the chip. 
• Tooth bonding: Dental tooth bonding is filling in the chips with a tooth-colored material that bonds to the tooth and restores its appearance. The tooth should be cleaned first to remove plaque and tartar. 
• Veneers: Another viable option is dental veneers, which are porcelain shells that go over the front of the tooth. The tooth is smoothed out first, so the veneer can be securely attached to the tooth and provide a protective layer that functions similarly to enamel. 
• Porcelain crowns: In cases where the upper part of the tooth has deep chips or has cracked or broken, it can be filed down and a dental crown placed over it.
• Fillings: Tooth-colored porcelain fillings can be used to fill in deep chips on the front of the teeth. 
• Root canals: A root canal is needed when the chipped tooth becomes infected, and the tooth can still be saved. A dental crown will also be needed to restore the tooth. The crown will be placed over the base of the tooth that remains after the root canal. 
• Implants: If the tooth has to be extracted because it cannot be saved, implants are a great tooth-replacement option. Dental implants look like natural teeth with an artificial tooth root secured to the jaw bone. 

How Quickly Can You Be Seen For A Chipped Tooth?

At URBN Dental, all our dental offices in the Houston area reserve time each day for dental emergencies. So, you can be seen the same day for a chipped tooth, especially when experiencing pain, discomfort, swelling, or sensitivity

Preventing Chipped Teeth Before They Happen

While you cannot prevent every type of chipped tooth, there are several things you can do to reduce your risks, such as:

• Getting a custom-fitted nightguard if you grind your teeth while you sleep
• Getting a custom-fitted mouth guard to protect your teeth when you play sports
• Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily
• Limiting the amount of sugary snacks and drinks you consume
• Limiting the amount of acidic foods you eat
• Seeing a dentist at least twice a year for dental cleanings and preventative care
• Never chew on ice
• Only using your teeth for eating
• Cutting up hard foods, like apples, into smaller pieces
• Managing acid reflux with the appropriate medical treatment

Get Your Chipped Teeth Treated Today In Houston

If you have chipped teeth, do not leave them untreated, as it can lead to other dental problems that will be more costly to fix later. The sooner you have chipped teeth treated, the better. It is easy to have chipped teeth treated in Houston at URBN Dental with our emergency same-day appointments.

FAQ

Sources:

Chew on This: Ice Crunching and Your Teeth. (2023).

How Night Guards Help with Teeth Grinding. (2023).

What Is Tooth Bonding? (2023).