If a large section of one of your teeth is chipped away, you’ll certainly want to check out a Colorado Springs dentistry service, or a service close to where you are. Unfortunately, it’s often easy for people to avoid dealing with smaller chips, even seeing them as part of their general oral wear and tear. This is often true – in most cases very small chips will smooth over after a few weeks or months.
However, you should still see your Family Dentistry providers when you notice even the smallest of chips, and here are just a few reasons why.
Chips Could Be Caused by Decay
There are plenty of reasons why your teeth might suffer a small chip. It could simply be that you bit down too hard or nicked one of your teeth on something hard. However, chips can also be caused by underlying decay. If you have even a small cavity, decay can develop within the tooth and weaken it from the inside. Your small chip could be the first warning of decay, so it’s best to have a dentist check it out.
Chips Can Reach Near the Pulp
Your tooth is made of strong outer layers (enamel and dentin) that protect the soft inner pulp. Unfortunately, a small chip can sometimes require work if it’s near the pulp. In such cases, failing to seek attention from your dentist could lead to excessive pain or sensitivity in the future – you may even end up needing a root canal from specialized dentistry clinics like Russo Dentistry which specializes in Raleigh Endodontics.
Chips Can Weaken Your Teeth
If you saw a small chip in your car’s windscreen, you wouldn’t ignore it, right? That’s because you know how constant stress can cause a small imperfection to develop into a larger crack. The same is often true when it comes to your teeth – even if a chip seems insignificant, there’s always a chance it could affect the structural integrity of your teeth. Your dentist will be able to check the strength of the remaining tooth and take any necessary steps to strengthen it.