Chipping a tooth can be an unsettling experience, but with the right care, it's usually a relatively minor problem. Anything from contact sports to biting down too hard on a piece of ice can chip a tooth, and while breakage can be a dental emergency, most chipped teeth can be repaired with only minor dental work. At Short Pump Dental, our mission is to be a comprehensive resource for dental health – so here are our tips on what to do if you chip a tooth.
What To Do if You Chip Your Tooth
So, how should you handle a chipped tooth? The first step is to assess how serious the chip is. Is your tooth missing only a tiny flake of enamel, or is this a more serious break? Is the tooth itself bleeding, or did the chip not draw blood? If you've had a serious break or you've lost a tooth entirely, try to find the missing tooth and carry it with you in a cup of milk or water to your repair appointment – while it's not always possible, we may be able to reinsert it.
For minor chips, there's no need to save the lost tooth material, as we can reconstruct it with dental repair materials. Instead, focus on keeping yourself comfortable and preventing any further breakage. Cover the chipped tooth with a piece of dental wax if it's sharp and poses a risk of cutting your mouth. If the tooth is painful, try a warm salt water rinse or an over-the-counter pain reliever to manage the pain. Additionally, try to stick to only soft foods to avoid further damaging the tooth.
Most importantly, though, you should call our office as soon as you realize you've hurt a tooth. With prompt attention, we can often repair chipped teeth in a single visit with little further treatment – but it's important to act fast.
Contact Your Glen Allen, VA Dentist
Chipping a tooth can be a frightening experience, but with prompt attention, chipped teeth are usually a minor dental problem. If you've chipped a tooth or have more questions on how to care for a chipped tooth, we encourage you to reach out to us at our contact page. We'll answer any questions you may have and help you schedule an appointment to repair your tooth and reclaim your healthy, beautiful smile!