Help, I Chipped My Tooth! 3 Next Steps to Take
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body—it’s even harder than steel!
That doesn’t mean that it’s invincible, though. Your teeth can still chip and crack. For example, soft drinks can wear down your enamel, making it more susceptible to damage.
Did that happen to you? Are you looking for a guide on what to do if I chipped my tooth? If so, you’re on the right page.
We’ll be going over what to do with a chipped tooth below. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Rinse Your Mouth
Immediately rinse your mouth with warm water. That’ll keep the area clean by clearing away any blood. That’s not all—it’ll also wash out the part of the tooth that broke off.
That way, you won’t have to worry about swallowing the tooth or accidentally damaging your other teeth by biting down on it.
If you can, place a temporary dental filling material such as dental wax or sugar-free gum over the jagged edge. That’ll reduce injury to the tooth until you can see the dentist.
2. Apply a Cold Compress to the Area
You can reduce pain by applying a cold compress to the area. It’ll also help minimize inflammation and swelling by constricting the blood vessels in the mouth.
Don’t have an ice pack? You can always use a bag of frozen peas or fill a ziplock bag with ice.
First, wrap it in a towel so that it’s not directly touching your skin. Hold it against your cheek for up to 15 minutes at a time.
If necessary, you can also take an over-the-counter medication for pain.
3. Visit the Dentist ASAP
See your dentist as soon as possible after chipping a tooth. Remember, just because you don’t feel any pain doesn’t mean that everything is fine. Even the smallest of fractures can severely weaken a tooth, leading to various complications (e.g., infections) down the road.
How are chipped teeth repaired? It depends on the extent of the damage. For example, small chips to the enamel are usually fixed with a dental filling.
If the damage is to a front tooth, they’ll repair it by applying a composite resin material. This is called dental bonding.
Veneers are another option. Made of porcelain, they’re applied to the front surface of the tooth to improve its appearance. For the best results, visit a cosmetic dentist such as Curtis Couch Dentist.
Help, I’ve Chipped My Tooth!
Hopefully, that answers the question, “What should I do if I chipped my tooth?” Generally speaking, the sooner you visit the dentist, the better. You don’t want to wait as that can leave it susceptible to infection.
Did you find this article helpful? For more content like this, be sure to visit the rest of our health section!
