Uh-oh! You’ve chipped a tooth! However, it happened – using your teeth to open packaging (remember, this is something you should never do), chewing hard candy, during sports, or another situation – it’s important to address the issue.
What to do if you’ve chipped a tooth:
Call our office! We’ll advise you on what to do until you can get to us. At Apple Springs Family Dentistry, we know that you can’t plan for a dental emergency, so we leave some wiggle room in our daily schedule so that we can accommodate urgent cases that very same day. Here are some general tips until you can see us:
- Rinse your mouth out with warm water. This should be soothing, and it helps to clean the area. If your tooth is chipped because of traumatic stress, this can also help to prevent swelling.
- You might benefit from dental cement if your tooth’s nerve is exposed. Temporary dental cement is an over-the-counter fix that you can buy at most pharmacies. This will help protect the rest of your tooth and prevent the nerve from being agitated until you get in to see us here at Apple Springs Family Dentistry.
Although chipped teeth are not considered serious emergencies, you should still contact us. If you ignore a chipped tooth, the problem could end with tooth loss.
How is a chipped tooth repaired?
The treatment for a chipped tooth will depend on the location of the chip, its size, and its severity.
- Small Chips – A small chip at the edge of the tooth is a common tooth injury. This kind of chip may only need some polishing so there won’t be a jagged edge.
- Medium Chips – Medium chips may require a filling, dental bonding, veneers, or crown to cover the damage and protect the tooth’s inner layers.
- Large Chips – In these cases where the tooth’s nerve is exposed, there is a danger of infection of the tooth’s pulp, in which case a root canal may be necessary.
If you have a chipped tooth, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Call our office today. Dr. Tay can repair the damage and restore full functionality to your teeth in a single visit.
