What Should I Do About My Chipped Tooth?

Chipped teeth are unfortunately a frequent and common occurrence for both adults and children of any age, and they often happen easily. It simply requires a small amount of contact, at a wrong angle, and even a little bad luck, for anyone to chip a tooth.

Common Causes of Chipped Teeth

  1. A tooth structurally weakened by a cavity.
  2. Taking an accidental fall and hitting your mouth.
  3. Grinding or clenching your teeth, or bruxism.
  4. Biting a hard object.
  5. Trauma is the result of an unfortunate accident.
  6. A contact sports-related injury.
  7. Your poor nutrition and diet.

Since chipped teeth are indeed so common, there have been continued industry advancements and improvements in treatment options. A chipped tooth can be repaired today, so it is almost impossible to see that a chip ever existed.

What to Do If You Chipped a Tooth

Chipping a tooth can be an uncomfortable experience. If you have just chipped a tooth and are wondering what to do next, here are a few ideas.

If you just chipped a tooth, here are some first things to consider:

  1. Rinse Your Mouth with Warm Water- This small step will help you keep harmful irritants away from the area around the tooth, get rid of any blood, and soothe your discomfort. Use warm water and not hot, as you could experience increased sensitivity to hot and cold.
  2. Stop any Bleeding- Use a clean gauze pad and gently apply pressure to the tooth. Rinse and apply a new gauze pad if necessary.
  3. Reduce any Swelling- Place a cold compress or an ice pack to your cheek in the immediate area where the tooth is chipped to minimize any swelling.
  4. Relieve the Pain- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. If bleeding persists, avoid aspirin or other pain relievers that will thin blood, resulting in flowing more freely.
  5. Protect the Tooth- The part of your tooth that remains in the socket should be protected from any further damage or injury. Cover it with sugarless chewing gum or dental cement to protect the tooth until you see your dentist.
  6. Shield Your Tongue and Cheeks- A chipped tooth quite often leaves a jagged edge that can cut your tongue or cheeks. By applying dental wax, if available, to the edges of the chip, it will smooth out until you can visit your dentist. If dental wax is not available, cover the jagged edge with sugarless chewing gum.
  7. If Possible, Preserve the Chip- According to medical research, you should save the chip if you can. Often, the chip can be successfully reattached to the tooth. Preserve the broken tooth with saliva or a glass of milk to keep it from drying out.

Visit your dentist as soon as possible. Ideally, you should visit the dentist within a few hours of the actual incident. Call your dental office, describe the extent of the damage, and they will give you suggestions about your options and how quickly you might need to be treated. A chipped tooth can get worse over time. Prompt attention from your dentist will prevent further damage and save you from unnecessary consequences.

Related Article: Do Teeth Chip With Age?