WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF YOU IGNORE YOUR CHIPPED OR CRACKED TOOTH?

A chip or crack on your tooth may not seem like a big deal, especially if the tooth does not cause any pain or show when you smile. However, a crack or chip can compromise your tooth, and you might begin to experience other more serious problems. Discover seven dangers of ignoring a chipped or cracked tooth.

1. Bad Breath

A crack on your tooth can trap bits of food. With time, bacteria can accumulate on the food to give you bad breath. Also, a chip or crack can make brushing and flossing difficult, which further promotes the accumulation of foods and other substances between the teeth.

2. Sensitivity to Hot or Cold

Depending on the nature of the crack, the outer part of your tooth may no longer be functional. Thus, the root of your tooth is exposed and more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. You may experience tooth sensitivity when consuming hot or cold foods and beverages. Severe tooth pain may also accompany the sensitivity, making it challenging to eat or drink.

3. Increase in Pressure Sensitivity

Any direct pressure on your tooth causes discomfort or pain. However, a chip or crack exposes the nerves of your tooth to increase the sensitivity to pressure. Any pressure, albeit small, on the tooth could cause immense pain. If you are a person who engages in physical activities, like sports, this could be a big problem.

4. Cuts in the Mouth

When your tooth chips or cracks, the remaining tooth may have sharp edges. If you are not careful, these sharp edges could cut your tongue, cheek, or gums, causing painful wounds that make eating and talking uncomfortable or painful.

5. Risk of Infections

Deep chips or cracks allow bacteria to enter the tooth, increasing the risk of cavities and infections. The infections could also spread from the tooth to the gums and even to the bone. 

In severe cases, the buildup of bacteria can result in an abscess. This bacterial infection leads to pus inside your teeth or gums, often accompanied by severe toothache and swelling. Without treatment, the abscess can spread to your jawbone, head, and neck. It can also cause sepsis, which is a life-threatening condition.

6. Broken Tooth

A chip or crack exposes the inner section of a tooth, weakening your tooth's overall structure. Upon chewing hard foods or after an impact, the tooth has a greater risk of breaking. Typically, fixing a broken tooth requires more extensive treatment and is more costly than fixing a chip or crack, so seek early treatment.

7. Poor Quality Smile 

Your smile may not be as beautiful or radiant if you have a crack on your tooth. This is especially if the crack is on a front tooth, as everybody can see it. 

To avoid people seeing the crack, you may even avoid smiling altogether while in public. Considering a beautiful smile is necessary for important aspects of life such as making friends, dating, and career progression, not having a beautiful smile is a big deal. 

Seek professional treatment for a chip or crack, irrespective of its size. The nature of the condition will determine the treatment method. For example, if you only have a minor chip, your dentist can top the remaining tooth with a crown, but if the root of the tooth has an infection, they may recommend a root canal treatment. 

Whether you have a crack or chip, our certified dentists at Carlino & Paton, DDS PC, are ready to help you. Contact us today to make an appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve a great smile.