When and if you chip a tooth, you may feel panicked at first. After all, you’ve suffered a dental injury and likely don’t know its severity. You might fear the damage will ruin your smile or lead to worse problems. Even so, keep in mind that hope isn’t lost. Your chipped tooth can get treated and even restored, given the proper response! Whether that happens, however, will depend on the next steps you take. That said, here are three things you should do right after chipping a tooth.
Rinse Your Mouth
Before anything else, rinse your mouth out with warm water. Doing so will keep the injured area clean and clear away blood or dirt.
Also, the part of your tooth that broke off may still be in your mouth. It’ll probably come away with a quick rinse, which will keep you from swallowing the tooth or damaging other teeth by accidentally biting it.
Stop the Bleeding
Next, put some pressure on the tooth and surrounding gums with a clean towel or gauze. That way, you can stop the bleeding and reduce the risk of swallowing excess blood.
At this point, be careful not to scrub or irritate the area. That’ll just cause pain or increase bleeding. Instead, hold steady pressure on the tooth or gums with minimal movement.
Preserve the Tooth (if Possible)
If you lost the whole tooth, try to locate it as quickly as possible. Your dentist may yet be able to save and replace it.
After finding the tooth, rinse and submerge it in milk or saline solution. Otherwise, please put it in clean water. The faster you get treatment from your dental practice, the better your odds of saving the tooth.
See Your Dentist for Treatment
Depending on its severity, your dentist will give you several options for the chipped tooth. The most likely ones are:
- Composite Fillings – When only a bit of your tooth chips off, a filling is often enough to repair the damage. The hole is filled with a composite resin that hardens and protects the area.
- Dental Crowns– Meanwhile, when a larger piece breaks off, a dental crown will cap the tooth to protect sensitive nerves beneath its surface.
- Porcelain Veneers – A veneer is another excellent option if the broken tooth is in the front of the mouth or another visible spot. When properly layered, it’ll restore your smile in a snap.
While chipping your tooth may feel like the end of the world, rest assured that it isn’t. By following the steps above, your smile will be even closer to looking and feeling good as new!
About the Practice
Clear Cost Dental is based in New Bedford, MA. As led by Drs. Akbar, Neelley, Herr, and Luccio, the practice focuses on providing warm and clinically excellent care that meets your dental needs. As such, its staff offers top-notch preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, including emergency dental care. They guarantee treatment results thanks to using advanced dental technology. For more information or to book an appointment, they can be reached at their website or by phone at (413)-731-8800 or (141)-358-44900.
