No matter who you are or what kind of care you give your smile, there’s always a chance of suffering from a dental accident that leaves you with a chipped tooth. As alarming as this issue is, it can be managed – provided that you stay calm and are proactive about protecting your grin from further harm. Your emergency dentist is here with 6 steps that you should follow if you ever chip a tooth.
1. Use Water to Rinse Your Mouth
Your first step should be to thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water. This will get rid of any blood or debris around the tooth, and it can also help soothe your discomfort. Make sure that the water isn’t too hot, as chipped teeth can be more sensitive than normal.
2. Put a Stop to Any Bleeding
If the accident that chipped your tooth has resulted in any bleeding, it’s important to put a stop to it as soon as possible. Take a clean piece of gauze and lightly apply pressure to the area. You should call the emergency room if the bleeding doesn’t stop no matter how long you put pressure on it.
3. Use an Ice Pack to Keep Swelling Down
Sometimes the area around the chipped tooth will be swollen. You can soothe this particular symptom by holding a cold compress over the area in question. Remember, you should only use a compress for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
4. Save the Chipped Part of the Tooth If You Can
Sometimes it may be possible to reattach the part of the tooth that was chipped off. As such, you should try and save it if you can. The best way to do so is to place it in a secure container filled with saliva or milk.
5. Keep Your Tooth Safe
Even if the chip was minor, it could still leave your tooth susceptible to further damage. It’s therefore important that you go out of your way to protect it. For example, if you need to eat, you should chew with the opposite side of your mouth. Additionally, it can help to apply dental cement to the damaged area.
6. Make an Appointment with Your Dentist
Chipped teeth don’t always cause pain, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still cause serious problems for your oral health. It’s best to see your dentist as soon as you can so that they can evaluate the damage. Reach out to your dental practice and let them know what happened so that you can get the care that your smile needs as promptly as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Darren Koch studied dentistry at the University at Buffalo and graduated in the top 15% of his class. He has received awards for excellence in restorative dentistry and periodontology. His current dental practice in Cary is happy to accept same-day appointments for dental emergencies such as chipped teeth. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Koch, visit his website or call (919) 859-6633.
