Chipping a tooth can happen at any moment. Whether you slip and fall, experience an accident while playing sports, or bite into hard food, a chipped tooth should never be ignored. Taking swift action can prevent further complications and help you maintain a healthy smile. So what exactly should you do if you chipped a tooth? This blog post provides practical and actionable information.
Address Immediate Issues
When you chip a tooth, you may notice bleeding from the nearby gums or other soft tissues. It is important to get this issue under control. Apply gentle pressure using clean gauze or a soft washcloth. If you experience excessive or persistent bleeding, you should visit a local emergency room as soon as possible.
Once any bleeding has been addressed, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clear away debris and bacteria as well as reduce inflammation. If you are experiencing pain, you may use over-the-counter pain medication to minimize your discomfort. Be sure to avoid chewing with the affected tooth, and stay away from hard or chewy foods so you do not accidentally worsen the damage.
If the chipped tooth has sharp or jagged edges that are irritating your tongue or cheeks, you can protect your mouth by covering the area with orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum.
Contact Your Dentist Promptly
No matter the size of the chip, you should make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. This is true even if you are not in any pain! A chipped tooth could easily worsen if it is not repaired relatively quickly. Plus, depending on how bad the damage is, an untreated chip can allow harmful bacteria to enter your tooth, which in turn could cause a painful and dangerous infection. Prompt care can prevent such an outcome.
During your emergency appointment, your dentist will examine the damage and suggest an appropriate treatment plan. Small chips may be repaired using dental bonding, a process that restores the shape of the tooth with a durable, tooth-colored resin. Or, you might opt for a veneer to cover the tooth. Veneers cost more than bonding, but they tend to last a lot longer.
Severe chips may require alternative treatments. For example, your dentist might recommend a dental crown to cover the tooth and protect it from additional harm. In rare cases, root canal therapy or extraction may be necessary.
A chipped tooth might not seem like a big deal, but it could easily derail your oral health if you do not receive appropriate care. Do not hesitate to call your dentist and ask for guidance!
Meet the Practice
At Abington Family Dental Care, we are often able to welcome emergency patients for same-day treatment. We are even open on some Saturdays! If you have a chipped tooth or other concerns about your oral health, we can evaluate the situation and recommend your next steps. To learn more about us or to request an appointment, contact our office at 781-780-2658.