Fix Chipped Teeth
Even though your bones may seem to be the hardest tissue in your body, your tooth enamel is harder. And like your bones, tooth enamel can be damaged and is not permanent. Over time, people are likely to chip or crack their teeth on hard food or even ice cubes but they can avoid further damage, pain and even infections if they seek dental care quickly.
What to Do for a Chipped Tooth
The first thing to do is give the dentist a call to make an appointment for the dentist to evaluate the crack and its damage. If you wait to address the compromised tooth, the chip could provide an opportunity for bacteria to cause decay or an infection. The dentist can help prevent more serious pain, health conditions and even loss of the tooth. When it comes to chipped teeth, what starts as a small blemish can lead to expensive, noticeable problems.
Five Ways to Fix a Chipped Tooth at Home
Between the time you chip your tooth and your dental appointment, there are some steps to take at home to keep your mouth as healthy as possible.
- Pain control
Use acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen or your preferred over the counter pain reliever to reduce your discomfort.
- Dentemp
This is a product available at most drugstores and pharmacies to use on a chipped tooth temporarily before your dental appointment for professional treatment.
- Salt Water
Use a salt water rinse to help your mouth stay free from infection.
- Avoid Eating
If you can, try not to eat before your appointment, but if you should eat, make sure it is easy to chew. And do not use your chipped tooth to chew or bite down in order to minimize damage.
- Soften Edges
If the chip has created a sharp edge, you can protect the soft tissue in your mouth with a piece of sugarless gum or a small bit of paraffin wax.
How Do Dentists Fix a Chipped Tooth?
Depending on how much damage the chip or crack has caused to your tooth, the dentist has a variety of ways to restore your tooth to a strong, healthy tooth. If the tooth suffered only a minor chip with minimal impact to the enamel, the dentist will be able to address the repair in one appointment. If you chipped the tooth close to the gumline, created a large crack or even broke a large piece from the tooth, the dentist may need more than appointment or even more than one procedure. The dentist can offer the following treatment options:
- Filling
- Bonding
- Dental veneer
- Dental crown or dental cap
Be sure to reach out to the dentist right away if you have chipped your tooth. Avoiding the dentist to avoid the cost of repair could lead to infections, tooth decay and other more costly and painful dental procedures to restore your teeth. The dentist can repair the chipped tooth, prevent further dental problems and give you back the confidence you had with a bright, complete smile.
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