What Do You Do if You Chip a Tooth?
&srotate=0)
Chipping a tooth can be a painful experience, especially if it's due to falling or something impacting your face. Parents are often the first responders to these types of incidents, which can be the result of sports or simply an accidental fall on the playground. First things first — don't panic!
Follow These Steps After Chipping a Tooth
A chipped tooth can be stressful, especially if your child is crying and overwhelmed by the incident. However, it's key to stay calm during this situation and understand that it will be okay.
Remember, you're already a step ahead of the game if you're reading this before an accident happens! Now you'll know how to manage the situation like a pro.
- Rinse the mouth out with warm water. This initial step can clear away any blood that may be present and also helps to remove any particles that can act as irritants to the sensitive area.
- Recover the chipped portion, if possible. In some instances, the dentist will be able to bond the fragments back to the tooth.
- Call your dentist and follow their advice. Depending on the extent of the chip, your dentist may want you to schedule a same-day emergency appointment. Other times, the chipped tooth can wait until the next business day.
- Treat any pain or discomfort with over-the-counter meds. Medications like ibuprofen can help ease the pain and can be used in unison with an OTC topical numbing ointment, like Orajel. Icing the affected area can also help to reduce swelling.
When is a Chipped Tooth an Emergency?
While a chipped tooth isn't always a medical emergency in and of itself, it's still recommended to give your dentist a call and schedule an appointment for them to examine the affected tooth. Chips that cause pain or bleeding are considered a dental emergency and require immediate attention.
Large chips that affect the interior of the tooth can lead to exposed nerves, which causes an immediate painful sensation. Ignoring a chip may lead to damaged enamel, increased sensitivity, infection, and tooth loss in extreme cases.
Cosmetically, chips can be a fairly obvious imperfection in your smile — which many patients may feel self-conscious about. For tiny chips, a dentist can oftentimes smooth out the rough edges and make the area blend in with its surroundings. Other treatment options include bondings or porcelain veneers.
Chipped Tooth Treatment & Repair in New York
Whether your chipped tooth is purely cosmetic or you need to treat an exposed nerve resulting from a chipped or broken tooth — SmilesNY is here to help. The team has plenty of experience repairing chipped teeth and the office provides dental bonding and contouring treatment to fix cosmetic flaws. Call (332) 249-8442 today for your complimentary cosmetic consultation.