Having a chipped tooth can be alarming, especially if you’re not sure if it is or isn’t a dental emergency. Regardless of how it happened, you should definitely seek medical care as soon as possible. In the meantime, there are several measures you can take to protect your soft tissue from further damage. Keep reading to learn four steps for dealing with a chipped tooth.
Step #1: See Your Dentist Right Away
To save the chipped piece of your tooth, it’s crucial to visit your dentist right away. If you have someone there with you, ask them to call your dentist and inform them of your situation, that way they’re prepared with a clear idea of what to expect. Take the preserved piece with you so your dentist can see if it’s reparable.
Step #2: Rinse Your Mouth
After chipping a tooth, try rinsing out your mouth with warm water. This will keep the damaged area clean and wash away any dirt or debris. Additionally, the lost piece of your tooth could still be somewhere in your mouth, and a quick rinse could reveal it. You’ll want to do this quickly as to not accidentally swallow or bite down on it and harming your other teeth.
Step #3: Preserve the Tooth
Even if only a tiny piece came off, you’ll want to preserve it to improve your chances of saving it. Once you’ve found it, rinse it off and then put it in milk or saline solution. You can also cover the chipped piece in dental wax or sugar-free gum, which will protect the tooth from bacteria and prevent the soft tissue from being scratched by any sharp edges.
Step #4: Relieve Any Discomfort
Most chipped teeth don’t cause bleeding, but in case you feel any discomfort you should take an OTC pain reliever before you even see your dentist. Doing so can also help reduce inflammation that could occur. Applying a cold compress to the injured area is another option for lowering discomfort and swelling. Most importantly, however, make sure not to bite down on the damaged area, as you don’t want to cause further damage to the tissue.
Chipped teeth aren’t usually in need of saving so much as repairing. With these steps in mind, you can have your smile repaired right away and prevent potentially serious and painful complications in the future.
About the Author
Dr. Cher Rich received her doctor of dental surgery from the University of Texas at Houston Dental School. With her passion for helping people keep healthy smiles, she provides a wide collection of dental treatments, including emergency services in case of a chipped tooth. If you need to schedule an appointment today, visit her website or call (281) 469-6281.