Nothing causes excruciating pain more than a chipped tooth that is left exposed. It’s estimated, between 30% and 74% of people have chipped teeth at the age of 30-50 years. Dentists report this as the result of poor dental hygiene, exposure to conditions that make teeth vulnerable to chipping or common unexpected accidents.
Unless it’s a chip on the front teeth, it’s not a cause for serious concern to have a chipped tooth. Regardless, you might want to find quick measures to prevent further severe injuries in the case of a new chip. You will need to consult a dentist to have the chip dealt with and to avoid any infections or pain.
Here are 5 things you can do when you have a chipped tooth and how to get help.
1. Rinse Your Mouth with Warm Water
This quick first aid tip helps to clear ant blood, remnants, and irritants around the tooth to ease the pain. Scraps from a chipped tooth are quite dangerous as they can cut the tongue or the cheeks if not cleared out. Rinsing the tooth area with water allows the pressure to stop bleeding, soothing the pain that could otherwise cause discomfort.
2. Relieve the Pain
A slightly chipped tooth can have a sharp pain that can be recurrent over a short period before medical attention is offered. A serious chip or fracture, on the other hand, might not only cause agonizing pain but the pain may result in swelling. Suffering from a slight chip is quickly relieved by a pack of ice.
Although the ice reduces the swelling, it’s necessary that over the counter medications is taken to help reduce the pain before further treatment is considered.
3. Cover the Sharp parts
The main objective after chipping of the teeth occurs to mitigate any further injuries. Jagged edges are the remnants of chipped teeth and may pose as a risk factor for your tongue and cheeks. It’s advisable that the edges are smoothened by application of dental wax or utilizing sugarless gum to cover the sides.
The remaining bit of the tooth also needs protecting from further damage, and it’s advisable to apply dental cement if it’s readily available.
4. Visit the Dentist Soonest
Seek medical attention a few hours after the incident and after first aid has been administered. If one is unable, a call to the dentist and explaining the extent of the chip can help in guiding what options to consider. Chipped teeth in most occasions worsen with time and as such, visiting a dentist can prevent further injury and save on the torture of pain caused by chipped teeth.
5. Treatment Options
Depending with the extent of a chip, a dental filling can help in dealing with moderate fractures. If the incident impacted on the front teeth, then the patient may need to further consult on the best option. The severity of the injury will require chipped tooth repair which may be done through crowns, dental veneers, bonding or a root canal procedure.
Chipped Tooth
Accidents are unavoidable, but further injuries can be prevented by quick soft procedures to reduce the impacts. A chipped tooth, especially a front one, does not mean the end of your perfect smile. Consulting a dentist allows for evaluation and determination of the best treatment option.
For more information on what to do when you chip a tooth, check out our service blog.
