Patients who have recently had a tooth chipped wonder if it is possible for the tooth to become infected if it is not treated.
If you do not have a chipped tooth treated, it can be susceptible to infection that can worsen over time. If you have a chipped tooth, it is important to see your dentist right away. This does depend on how severe the chip is, but in most cases it is wise to see a dentist.
How Long Before a Chipped Tooth Gets Infected?
Although there is no specific timeframe that you can expect an infection to set in, it is important to take care of a chipped tooth as soon as possible. This is because the longer you wait, the greater the chance that bacteria will have time to enter the tooth and cause an infection.
If you have a chipped tooth, you can expect infection to set in as quickly as a week or up to a few months later. The important thing is to take care of the chipped tooth as soon as possible so that you can avoid infection.
What Happens if you Don’t Fix Chipped Tooth?
If you don’t get a chipped tooth fixed, you are playing with fire as it can get infected. An infected tooth can lead to a number of complications such as:
- Abscesses
- Tooth loss
- Bone loss
- Spread of infection to other parts of the body
It is important to get a chipped tooth fixed as soon as possible so that you can avoid these complications. If you wait too long, you may need to have the tooth extracted which can be costly and complicated.
How Can You Tell if a Chipped Tooth is Infected?
There are several symptoms that come with an infected tooth. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should see a dentist right away.
- Toothache
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Swollen cheek
- Pain when chewing
- Irritated gums
- Fever in extreme cases
If you chip a tooth, it is better to be proactive and visit the dentist before any of these symptoms arrive. Once your tooth becomes infected, it can cause other health problems so you should treat the issue as soon as possible.
What Will a Dentist do for a Chipped Tooth?
When you go to the dentist to have a chipped tooth looked at, they will assess the severity of the chip. In some cases, the dentist may be able to simply smooth out the tooth. However, if the chip is more severe, they may need to do a root canal or place a crown on the tooth.
If you have a chipped tooth, it is important to have it fixed right away so that infection doesn’t set in. Contact your dentist today to have your chipped tooth looked at right away.
Contact Family Tree Dental
If you are located in Southeast Ohio and you have recently chipped a tooth, contact Family Tree Dental today. We can help you assess the severity of the chip and recommend the best course of treatment. We understand the importance of taking care of a chipped tooth right away so that infection doesn’t set in. We have offices in Belpre and Marietta, Ohio as well as Parkersburg, West Virginia.