A small chip has appeared on one of my teeth near the gum line; should I go to a dentist?

Question

I am very particular and careful with my teeth. But today I noticed a small chip on my tooth near the gum line and I was wondering if this was anything to be worried about. The chip is not really noticeable and I only realized it was there when a flake of pepper got in it. In middle school I chipped one of my molars and it seemed to grow back without any help from a dentist. Is the small chip something I need to get checked out or should I wait and see what happens?

Charles Briscoe, DDS · Answer

Human Nature is to wait and see what happens. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't.  So, it is a gamble!  What you should do is go see your dentist. If you have a good relationship with your dental office and it winds up being nothing, they probably won't even charge you. If it is something, then no matter what it costs, at least you're ahead of the game  by gettit taken care of before you get into a toothache.   Pretty unlikely the chipped tooth structure will grow back again.

Roger Tran, DDS · Answer

Hello!Sometimes a small chip can be nothing and just a chip.  But other times, it can be a problem that you cannot see.  If it is fixed now, usually, it would cost less than waiting until sometime breaks further.  I do recommend going to the dentist to check it out; especially if you haven't been in for a long time.Dr. Roger Tran

Doug Jopling, DDS · Answer

It would be wise to have any new noticeable change evaluated.  When was your last dental visit? Douglas Jopling, DDSDallas, TX area

A small chip has appeared on one of my teeth near the gum line; should I go to a dentist?

Answers (3)