What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth Federal Way, WA
If you chip a tooth, you may require immediate dental attention. A chipped tooth can happen when you least expect it—on vacation, during a business conference, or even if you trip and fall walking out of the dentist's office. You might also be able to wait until normal business hours for a dental evaluation. The only way to know how to proceed is to contact your dentist as soon as possible after chipping a tooth.
To learn more about what to do if you chip a tooth, our team at Smile Center Dental Care in Federal Way is here to help. Call us at (253) 336-0023 to learn more or schedule an appointment.
Try to Stay Calm
Chipping a tooth can feel devastating, particularly because it can dramatically impact one's outward appearance. It can be difficult to think straight and create a plan of action after chipping a tooth, especially when it is accompanied by pain. The more one remains calm—using deep breathing techniques or a soothing mantra—the more efficiently they can help themselves by taking action.
When someone has chipped a tooth, take a moment to first assess the situation. Ascertain to survey the extent of the damage, including any teeth that may have fallen out. Then, get to a calm place where you can sit down and collect yourself.
“It can be difficult to think straight and create a plan of action after chipping a tooth, especially when it is accompanied by pain.”
What to Do Immediately After Chipping a Tooth
After chipping a tooth, the most important thing to do is first call a dentist. If the person is experiencing pain or bleeding after chipping a tooth, it is particularly paramount to contact the dentist immediately. Doing so can help avoid complications such as an infection, nerve damage, or increased pain.
After contacting the dentist, you should try to locate any tooth fragments. If a fragment is still in the mouth or it has fallen out, place it in a glass of cold milk. While this practice may seem strange, preserving the tooth fragment in milk can help salvage the tooth, making it possible for your dentist to reattach the fragment later. If the tooth fragment was accidentally swallowed, do not try to retrieve it.
If there is any bleeding associated with the chipped tooth, use a warm water mouth rinse to gently clean and soothe the area. Place gauze over the bleeding area and apply pressure to encourage clot formation. For pain associated with a chipped tooth, we advise taking an over-the-counter analgesic medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, provided that the patient can tolerate pain medications.
“If there is any bleeding associated with the chipped tooth, use a warm water mouth rinse to gently clean and soothe the area.”
What to Do When Children Chip a Tooth
It can be especially nerve-wracking when a child chips a tooth, particularly if it causes them a great deal of anxiety or discomfort. The most important thing that a parent can do when a child chips a tooth is to comfort them. This may mean not addressing the chipped tooth for several minutes until they have calmed down. After getting a clearer visualization of the chip, try to locate the fragment and make sure it is not posing a risk to the child's airway. According to the Cleveland Clinic, one may be able to preserve the chipped piece of tooth in cold milk or a specific salt solution.
For children, it is important to follow the same steps that are advised when an adult chips a tooth. Control any pain or bleeding first, and then contact their dentist immediately. Dentists are able to repair chipped teeth in children in much the same way that they repair teeth in adults, so it is important to get follow-up care as soon as possible.
“The most important thing that a parent can do when a child chips a tooth is, first, comfort them.”
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How to Treat a Chipped Tooth
There are many treatment options available for chipped teeth, and treatment will depend on the nature of the injury. The American Dental Association notes that sometimes the chip in a tooth is small enough to be smoothed down with a file.
Other methods of repairing a chipped tooth include:
- Reattaching a broken fragment
- Bonding a composite resin to the tooth
- Repairing a chip with a tooth-colored filling
- Applying a veneer or crown
- Installing a dental implant
We will discuss the treatment options available to you, depending on the nature of the chip, and patients will be able to decide which option they prefer.
“We will discuss the treatment options available to you, depending on the nature of the chip, and patients will be able to decide which option they prefer.”
Questions Answered on This Page
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Maintaining a Treated Chipped Tooth
After treatment for a chipped tooth, patients must maintain a regular oral care routine. This maintenance includes brushing twice a day and flossing at least once. Patients should also follow all after-care instructions to take care of the repaired tooth and protect it from further damage.
Other maintenance tips include not biting down on the treated tooth and refining from chewing on hard foods and objects. Following the repair, patients should also attend all follow-up appointments and schedule regular dental check-ups. These appointments will allow our dentist to check the repair and protect patients' overall oral health to prevent a chip from happening again.
“After treatment for a chipped tooth, patients must maintain a regular oral care routine.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How common are chipped teeth?
A. It is very common to experience a chipped tooth. In fact, the American Association of Endodontists reports that the most common type of dental injury is a chipped tooth. Luckily there are many things you can do to avoid a chipped tooth, such as making sure you do not use your teeth to open non-food items and wearing a mouth guard during contact sports.
Q. How do chipped teeth most commonly occur?
A. The most common way teeth chip is through injury. However, they can occur from other situations besides accidents and are often a result of weakened tooth enamel. Biting down on hard foods or objects can chip a tooth easily when the teeth are not as strong as they once were. We recommend using a mouthguard when playing sports and while sleeping to avoid injury or chipping a tooth from grinding or clenching.
Q. Why does my chipped tooth hurt?
A. If your chipped tooth hurts, it may be because the injury extends past the surface of your tooth. If the chip continues through the enamel and dentin layers of your tooth and exposes the inner part of the tooth known as the tooth pulp, you can experience pain. Make sure to follow up with your dentist as soon as you can.
Q. What should I do with the piece of the tooth that chipped off?
A. If you locate the chipped piece of tooth, you should save it to bring to your dental appointment. Try to keep the tooth chip moist by transporting it in cold milk. It may be possible for your dentist to reattach the chipped piece, but this is not always possible.
Q. What if I chip a tooth and it falls out?
A. If your chipped tooth becomes loose and falls out, this constitutes a dental emergency. You should contact your dentist as soon as possible so that you have the highest likelihood of preserving the integrity of the tooth. If possible, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you try to keep the tooth moist by replacing it in your mouth until you receive further instructions from your dentist.
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Dental Emergency Terminology
Call Us Today
If you have a chipped tooth, do not panic. Our team at Smile Center Dental Care can help restore a chipped tooth's function and appearance. Call us today at 253-336-0023 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
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