AIBU to ignore this

[mummymummums]

Back story: Hate going to the dentist. Tonight I have happily eaten an entire 360g Toblerone, from the fridge. Have now just discovered that one of my bottom teeth has had a large chunk break off. It's not in the middle - it's one of the small ones to the side, so not really noticeable. No pain at all.
WIBU to ignore this? At least for a week or two? Or am I going to find myself in agony and seeking an emergency dentist?
Genuine reason to ignore, other than fear, as my Dad is very ill so I am committed to spending time with him.
Just really wondering if I can get away with this for a while???

If you go now it's in your control making the appointment. If you wait for it to get painful it may happen when you need to be with your dad.

How big is the chunk and is it near the nerve?

Good point about control. I don't know where the nerve is. It's one side of the top half of the tooth.

It's entirely up to you what you do, but I did this and got told off by my dentist because I left it months on end before I finally got it sorted.
The thing is the longer you leave it the longer bacteria could be building up in the hole that has been created. I wouldn't recommend leaving it as long as I left it as according to my dentist I will probably need a root canal at some point in the future due to leaving it so long (despite her filling it), but a week or two would be ok if you're busy.

Have checked google and don't think it's near nerves as breakage is well above gum line
Spidermum - I was midway through root canal work 7 years ago and abandoned it midway through as it was an ordeal and they said I needed an endodontist. Dentist filled it but said it was only a temporary fix but so far so good! I think in a week or so things will be more clear with my Dad so I'm hoping to wait but bit worried about ending up in unbearable pain!

wait - so this tooth is the one you are having the root canal on? You need to get that sorted stat!

I've had a broken crown for months. I ignored it as was having a major surgery and it's now been missing for months. As long as it doesn't hurt will be fine

I agree get it sorted asap based on your most recent post. Your tooth is already in a bad way if it was mid way though a root canal.

I would go to the dentist ASAP rather than risk anything worse; my old dentist said he'd have a tooth out rather than have root canal work done.
I know your Dad might need you but if you don't look after yourself then you can't look after other people.

It may not get really painful anytime soon but if you put it off, it will become harder to pluck up the courage to go at a later date.

I would just go. They'll be able to clean it out, patch it up and set an appointment for when you have time.

Sorry to be confusing - it's not the same tooth that is midway through root canal works. When that one hurts or anything happens to it, it'll be coming out for sure - I had four very long sessions then declined the endodontist. No more for that tooth and the filling has held up fine (so far). I seem to recall mention that the nerve might be dead so might have been lucky there.
I wish I hadn't eaten the 360g bar of Toblerone! Am coming round to the idea that a trip to dentist might be wise. Even better if I can get a quick fix. It's occurred to me I have no clue how they fix a tooth that has a large chunk missing!
I'm not normally daft about health (exc the odd choccie binge) - just got a thing about dentists after a hideous experience when I was 16.

Very true Shellhider

Please do make an appointment OP, if you find you cannot attend, then cancel, but at least try.
It will be much easier to fix, at this point.
I'm sorry about your Dad. 💐

I've had so many horrible experiences with my teeth - root canals, extractions, implants, you name it, I've had it. One thing I've learned is not to ignore a problem with a tooth - definitely get seen asap and save yourself more aggravation in the long term!

Thank you Sugarpie
I think I'll try to sort an appointment out tomorrow somewhere

This is going against the general flow, but I lost a filling and waited an embarrassingly long time to go to the dentist and get it fixed. When I did go she was able to just pop a new filling into it. I chew sugar free gum after meals and that had cleaned it out regularly and stopped any decay. A broken tooth is not quite the same thing, and you might find that it really irritates your tongue anyway so you won't be able to wait very long, but sugar free chewing gum might slightly lengthen the optimum period before you have to go and it might prevent some decay.

Thank you. Really really don't like chewing on chewing gum for some reason, unfortunately, as I like that idea.
Next task is find a dentist - my aborted root canal cost over £700, because I chose the local place that specialised in terrified patients and they were gentle. But think I need tofu d somewhere a bit more cost effective

I chipped one of my front teeth when I was about 12. Right on the corner. The dentist sanded the broken edge so it was smooth and wouldn't catch on my tongue. Didn't hurt and have had no issues with the tooth and it's been over 25 years. Sometimes people notice the bit missing but not often.

You might just need something like that done. Didn't take long and I am scared of dentists.

Ok. Have made an appointment for 9 May. Wanted to go next week but having trawled local Facebook groups for recommendations for dentists for nervous patients one man's name came up again and again, and this was the soonest they had as I couldn't class it as an emergency with no pain. If it becomes painful at all I'll have to rethink.
Thanks all, gave me the push I needed!

Get it done now. If you leave it you are potentially risking a lot more trouble. I too hate the dentist but go religiously because the consequences of not going are by far the greater evil.