One of the most worrying feelings you can experience is biting down into a delicious meal only to discover the feeling of a chipped or broken tooth. Unfortunately, despite teeth being extremely strong, they are not immune to damage. Sometimes, falling at the wrong angle or receiving an impact to the mouth can also cause a chipped tooth. Regardless of the cause, it’s important not to panic, as chipped tooth repair is common, and dentists can perform them relatively easily.
In this post, we’ll get into what can happen when you chip your tooth, why it’s important to repair it, and how a chipped tooth repair happens. We’ll also talk about how to care for your chipped tooth in the meantime.
Caring For Your Chipped Tooth: First Steps
First of all, it’s important to remain calm and assess the damage. You might not be able to see the dentist immediately, but in the meantime, caring for the tooth is important. Here’s how to do it.
- If you’re experiencing pain, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to relieve it. This has the added benefit of having mild antibacterial properties. Take a pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you need to.
- Stop by the local pharmacy and pick up some dental wax. If your chipped or broken tooth has a sharp edge, you can protect it and prevent it from cutting into your gums or cheek. But if it isn’t available, paraffin wax or sugar-free chewing gum will do.
- If you need to eat, don’t use the affected tooth to chew or bite. Eat soft foods and don’t drink any acidic, carbonated or overly hot, or cold beverages.
What Happens When A Tooth Is Chipped
A chipped tooth can occur in several different ways. Each tooth is composed of layers. The strong outer layer of enamel is generally resistant to wear but can come off or chip with enough force. The underlying layer of dentin is softer and more yellowish in appearance. It covers the very delicate and sensitive pulp of the tooth. This is important, as the pulp is full of nerve endings and blood vessels.
You can assess the degree of damage by inspecting the tooth. If it appears to be bleeding, you must see a dentist soon, as bacteria can penetrate the wound and cause infection.
How Chipped Tooth Repair Happens
A chipped tooth repair depends on how the tooth has been damaged. If only a small piece has broken off, you can receive a dental filling in a simple procedure that can happen in as little as one office visit.
If a larger piece breaks off, the dentist may recommend a dental crown, which fits over the tooth and protects it while maintaining its appearance. Crowns can be made of a variety of materials, including porcelain, resin, and metal.
Other available options include veneers and dental bonding. Your dentist will be able to make recommendations to you based on your case.
Conclusion
Don’t hesitate to visit the dentist as soon as you can. A qualified professional dentist will treat the tooth, clean any infection and restore the tooth to its original functionality.
You can call our Champions Dental experts, certified by the American Dental Association, at (281) 866-0442. We specialize in the highest quality dental treatment for every patient in the Greater Houston area. In addition, we offer many repair solutions for patients to choose from and can recommend the best option for you.