What to Do If You Chip a Tooth?

It's a scary situation when your tooth chips. Correct procedures and prompt actions would help reduce the ache and protect your smile. Here's a quick guide in case you experience a dental emergency like this.

Assess the situation: Look at the extent of the damage. Is it just a small chip, or is the tooth cracked or broken? Check if there is bleeding or sharp edges that hurt. If serious, call an emergency dentist right away.

Rinse and Protect: Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area. It will prevent infection. If bleeding, press a piece of gauze to the site for 10 minutes. Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling and alleviate pain.

Save Any Fragments: If a piece of your tooth breaks off, save it. Put the fragment in a small cup of milk or saliva. Cover this over. That may assist your emergency dentist in identifying the kind of repair they are going to make.

Manage Pain: Over-the-counter pain relievers may be used to help manage discomfort. Aspirin should not be applied directly to the tooth as it may irritate the gums. Sugar-free gum or dental wax may be used to cover sharp edges created by a chip to prevent cuts inside the mouth.

See a professional: Time is of the essence in dental emergencies. Consult an emergency dental clinic or an urgent care dentist for proper attention. Most emergency dentists work 24 hours a day and specialize in chipped teeth, providing urgent services to ease the pain by fixing the tooth.

Follow-up Treatment: The first follow-up treatment your dentist will likely send you will be bonding, crowns, and other treatments. Good dental checkup routines prevent problems in the future and guarantee the health of your teeth.

Prevention Tips

Avoid trying to bite into ice or candies. Also, remember to use a mouthguard while playing sports. Take proper care of your teeth regularly so that they may become as healthy and strong as possible.

For any dental emergency, such as chipped teeth, visit an emergency dentist 24/7 for the appropriate and best possible care. Keep in mind that time really makes all the difference.