When it comes to bumps and bruises, there’s a good chance your child’s injuries will heal on their own. In fact, a kiss, an ice pack, and maybe a strategically placed bandage is often all that’s required to make a full recovery. But when it comes to their smile, there are some problems that need more than just time and affection to get better. Take a chipped tooth, for example. While you may be tempted to just let this type of injury go and wait for it to be resolved on its own, the bad news is that teeth cannot self-heal. Here’s why if your child injures a tooth, you’ll need the help of an emergency dentist to repair it.
Breaking Bad: The Dangers of Tooth Injuries
Unlike your child’s skin, muscles, and bones, their teeth (and yours) don’t self-heal. That means that if they become chipped, cracked, infected, or develop a cavity, a dentist must intervene to repair it.
Do You Really Need to Repair Baby Teeth?
In some cases, parents may wonder if it’s even worth repairing a child’s chipped tooth if the damage occurs on a baby tooth. Though it may seem like a waste of time and money since it will only fall out eventually, there are many dangers in leaving a damaged tooth untreated.
For a chipped tooth, leaving it jagged not only looks bad, but it can also leave it vulnerable to cavities and infection, as well as risk injuring your chils’s soft tissues if the edge is particularly sharp. Worse yet, if it does become infected and need to be extracted, removing it too soon can cause a variety of orthodontic problems later on.
How Do You Repair a Chipped Tooth?
If your child has accidentally chipped their tooth, you (and they) may be curious about how your pediatric dentist will repair it. There are several methods that can be used, depending on the severity and location of the chip, including:
- Direct bonding: This uses the same material your pediatric dentist uses in tooth-colored fillings to rebuild the tooth so it looks and works perfectly. Bonding typically lasts up to five years.
- Dental crowns: These deluxe fillings fit over the tooth to restore its appearance and function. Dental crowns may be needed for severe chips or breaks that cannot be restored with direct bonding.
Remember, while a chipped tooth may seem like no big deal on a baby tooth, it’s important to have it evaluated and treated by a dentist as soon as possible. Leaving a tooth damaged can increase the risk of it becoming infected or decayed and can also leave your child’s tongue and gums vulnerable to accidental injury if there are sharp edges. Thus, if they accidentally chip or crack a tooth, contact their emergency dentist as soon as possible and get their beautiful smile back on track!
About Dr. Thorburn
Dr. Meghan Thorburn earned her undergraduate degree at Baylor University and her dental degree at UT Houston. A Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist, she is a current, active member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. To schedule an emergency appointment for a chipped tooth at Trinity Pediatric Dentistry, please visit our website or call 682-327-1133.