What Can Happen If You Don’t Get a Chipped Tooth Treated?

Getting in a car accident, falling off your bike, or even just brushing up against something sharp can all result in a chipped tooth, which may not seem serious at first, but it's always best to get them treated by your dentist as soon as possible to prevent tooth decay and damage in the long run. Here are some things that can happen if you don't get your tooth treated.

Infection

A chipped tooth can lead to an infection. The soft tissue inside your mouth is filled with bacteria, and if it gets in contact with saliva or blood from your injury, it can quickly get infected. Infections in your mouth may also go unnoticed and lead to other complications such as abscesses or tooth decay. If you don't get treatment immediately, you could develop gingivitis and lose teeth over time. Untreated pain: The longer you wait to get treated for a chipped tooth, the more severe any resulting pain will be. Even if there is no nerve damage or loss of bone structure, an untreated chip could make it difficult for you to eat certain foods and become irritated when you chew.

Root canal treatment

When teeth become damaged, they can begin to decay from within. To avoid severe pain and infection, it's important to have cavities treated as soon as possible. However, sometimes a cavity is so extensive that no amount of restorative dentistry can repair it. In those cases, a root canal treatment may be required—but what exactly does that entail?

During a root canal treatment, an endodontist uses special tools to clean out your tooth. First, they'll remove all your tooth's existing dentin and pulp before cleaning out any lingering bacteria with an antibacterial solution. Next, they'll place a protective filling within your tooth that will prevent it from disintegrating further. In some cases, you may be able to keep your original crown if you wish; otherwise, your dentist will make one for you and cement it in place.

Tooth removal

There are many reasons to get your chipped teeth treated. A lot of people say they don't like going to the dentist, but it is important that you go. First, getting your tooth removed could be cheaper than you think. Secondly, if you leave it untreated for too long, problems can arise. 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.

Dental implants

Implants have been around for more than 40 years, but many people still don't know what they are. Dental implants are artificial teeth that look and feel just like real teeth, making them an excellent choice to replace missing teeth or even entire parts of your mouth. However, if you have a chipped tooth and don't get it treated right away, there can be some serious consequences for your oral health. Read on to learn about these potential complications.

Request an appointment here: https://www.oaktreefamilydental.com or call Oak Tree Dental at (703) 763-5239 for an appointment in our McLean office.

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