Any tooth is vulnerable to chipping and cracks even though they are extremely strong. Tooth decay; bad dental habits such as chewing on ice; and accidents involving a car, hard falls, or blows to the face can result in a tooth breaking. Even if you don’t feel any pain, you should still see the dentist as soon as possible to protect your tooth from further damage.
If you are unable to receive dental treatment right away, we offer a few steps to treat a chipped tooth at home, ease any discomfort, and protect your smile:
– Use warm water to rinse your mouth.
– If your gum is bleeding, gently press a piece of gauze against the tooth.
– Minimize swelling by placing an ice pack on your lips or cheek.
– You can cover a dental injury with dental wax, drugstore dental cement, or chewing gum to temporarily protect the area.
– Take pain relievers for discomfort.
First, your dentist will gauge the location, size, and severity of your dental injury. If it is a small fracture, it may be repaired with a simple smoothing and polishing process to treat the chipped tooth.
Breaks of a medium size may indicate damage to the enamel of the tooth, and a dental cap or filling may need to be placed to protect the tooth from infection. Dental restorations can return your tooth’s original appearance and bite force.
When a large, deep crack exposes the tooth nerve, your dentist may need to perform root canal treatment to repair the damage done to the nerve. Then, he will place a dental crown on the tooth for protection. If the condition is very serious, the tooth may need to be removed.
We encourage you to become familiar with the steps to treat a chipped tooth. You are welcome to contact Aesthetics & Essentials Dental Group at 650-623-0003 if you have any questions for our dentist, Dr. Golgoun Habibi, or would like to learn more about how to prevent chipped teeth.
