What to Do If You Have A Chipped Tooth
How to Handle a Chipped Tooth
A chipped tooth can be a dental emergency. If the damage is severe, you may need to see a dentist right away. But if the chip is small, you may be able to wait until your next scheduled appointment. Here’s what you need to know about chipped teeth, including how to tell if you need to see a dentist near you right away and what to do in the meantime.
What Causes Teeth To Chip?
There are many reasons why teeth can chip. For example, you may bite down on something hard, such as ice or candy. Or you may accidentally fall and hit your mouth on a hard surface. In some cases, teeth can also chip as a result of wear and tear over time.
No matter the cause, it’s important to take steps to protect your teeth from further damage. And in some cases, you may need to see an Easton PA dentist for treatment.
When To See A Dentist Right Away?
If your tooth is severely chipped or broken, you’ll need to see a dentist right away. This is because there’s a risk of the damage getting worse or causing other problems, such as pain or infection.
If you can’t see your dentist right away, go to an emergency room or urgent care center. They may be able to provide treatment or refer you to a dentist who can help.
In the meantime, here are some tips for managing a chipped tooth:
- Rinse your mouth with warm water. This will help clean the area and reduce pain and swelling.
- Apply a cold compress to your cheek. This will help reduce swelling.
- Take ibuprofen if you’re in pain.
- Avoid eating hard foods or chewing on anything with the affected tooth. Stick to soft foods like soup and mashed potatoes until you can see a dentist.
- If the chip is large or causing pain, cover it with sugarless gum or wax paraffin until you can see a dentist.
- Collect any pieces of the tooth that you can find and bring them with you when you see the dentist.
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A chipped tooth can be a dental emergency—but not always. If the damage is severe, you’ll need to see a dentist right away for treatment. But if the chip is small, you may be able to wait until your next scheduled appointment. In either case, it’s important to take steps to protect your teeth from further damage by avoiding hard foods and chewing on anything with the affected tooth. You should also rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to your cheek to reduce swelling. If you’re in pain, take ibuprofen as needed but avoid aspirin since it could increase bleeding. And finally, collect any pieces of the tooth that you can find and bring them with when you see the dentist for treatment—even if that’s not for several days or weeks!
