My daughter is 6 years old and fell and has an ever so slight chip on her top front tooth... right on the edge. Should she be seen?
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Does my daughter need to be seen right away for a chipped tooth?
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1 UpVoted this answer
The chip was caused by trauma and it may not be limited to the chip.
There may be a root fracture or trauma to the nerve of the tooth.
An exam and X-ray would be helpful in diagnosing the extent of the trauma. by not seeking care you deprive your daughter a proper diagnosis and any treatment.
There may be a root fracture or trauma to the nerve of the tooth.
An exam and X-ray would be helpful in diagnosing the extent of the trauma. by not seeking care you deprive your daughter a proper diagnosis and any treatment.
1 UpVoted this answer
If your daughter fell and has a small chip on the edge of her tooth, I would in fact recommend you see your dentist asap. It may be, and hopefully is, nothing to worry about, but the dentist should assess it. If she is not in pain at all, and has no sensitivity, it is most likely ok. However, the dentist will want to check to make sure that:
-there are no tooth fragments embedded in the lip
-the fracture is small enough that the nerve or dentin has not been exposed
-the tooth has not been pushed up into the socket
-there is not a fracture in the bone OR root of the tooth
These all could lead to problems that are much better taken care of early.
The dentist can take a look and tell you if they need to take an xray or if everything looks ok. Generally, if it's as small of a chip as you imply, and your child is not bleeding or in any pain, she is probably ok. But you can never be too careful in this type of situation, especially if it's your kid!!!
Hope this helps,
Dr. Todd Emigh
-there are no tooth fragments embedded in the lip
-the fracture is small enough that the nerve or dentin has not been exposed
-the tooth has not been pushed up into the socket
-there is not a fracture in the bone OR root of the tooth
These all could lead to problems that are much better taken care of early.
The dentist can take a look and tell you if they need to take an xray or if everything looks ok. Generally, if it's as small of a chip as you imply, and your child is not bleeding or in any pain, she is probably ok. But you can never be too careful in this type of situation, especially if it's your kid!!!
Hope this helps,
Dr. Todd Emigh
1 UpVoted this answer
Since it is only a slight chip, the criteria for whether or not to see the dentist is thus:
1) if there is any pain in the tooth or gum now or later or
2) if the chipped area is sharp and irritating the lip or
3) if your daughter is self-conscious about the appearance or
4) if the tooth darkens over time or
5) if a "bubble" appears on the gum above the tooth.
If any of the above applies, go see your dentist now. Otherwise, it can wait for the regular 6-month check-up to be checked.
1) if there is any pain in the tooth or gum now or later or
2) if the chipped area is sharp and irritating the lip or
3) if your daughter is self-conscious about the appearance or
4) if the tooth darkens over time or
5) if a "bubble" appears on the gum above the tooth.
If any of the above applies, go see your dentist now. Otherwise, it can wait for the regular 6-month check-up to be checked.
You need to see your dentist. Sometimes the tooth looks fine, but it hurts only when you eat or when the temperature in your mouth changes. See your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can figure out if the break if the tooth's nerve is in danger. A damaged nerve usually will require root canal treatment.
Trauma that results in a chip, even if it's slight, should always be evaluated by a dentist. There could be more damage that you cannot see, such as a cracked root. Have your dentist examine her and take an xray just to be safe.
I would suggest a trip to the dentist who would X-ray and make sure there is no nerve related damage. It might appear as a very small chip but teeth are fragile and sometimes even minimal trauma can cause nerve damage. If none is noted and your daughter does not have any symptoms, it could be as simple as just smoothing the roughness or possibly adding a small tooth colored filling. I am also assuming that at age 6 most likely this is her permanent tooth.
Depends, is this a child that regularly visits the hygienist, practices good oral hygiene and does not have any other pending treatment or active decay. The other extreme is the child that at age 6 has never seen a dentist, when we ask how often they brush, the parent rolls their eyes and says not enough. Nobody is perfect and we are all shades of gray but the closer you are to the first example the better.
best to see your dentist for an evaluation and check that the tooth is free of fractures including below the gum line. You like to know that the trauma has only caused a chipped tooth and no evidence of trauma within the area is present. given that she is 6 years old, is this her permanent or a primary tooth that chipped? long term considerations will vary based upon these facts.