It’s easy to start panicking if or when you suddenly chip a tooth. After all, it’s not a typical day-to-day situation. “Is this something I can fix?” “Will this be permanent?” “What am I supposed to do?” Worries like these can start piling up in your mind very quickly.
Still, you needn’t over-worry yourself: here are four steps to managing a chipped tooth from a Raleigh dentist. Follow them so you’ll have a chance at restoring your smile to its former self!
Rinse Out Your Mouth
Immediately after the chipping takes place, rinse your mouth with warm water. Doing so will keep the area clean and clear away any blood or dirt.
Know that part of your broken tooth may come out after the rinse. While this might seem frightening, this is actually a good thing. Having it out of your mouth prevents you from swallowing or biting down on it.
Stop the Bleeding
If the incident that chipped your tooth results in bleeding, put pressure on the affected area with a clean towel or gauze. This action will help stop the bleeding and reduce the risk of swallowing too much blood.
Don’t scrub or irritate the area since it may cause pain or increase bleeding. Instead, hold steady pressure on the tooth or gums with minimal movement.
Apply a Cold Compress
A cold compress applied to your injury will help alleviate pain and swelling. Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels and slow blood flow around your mouth. As a result, the compress will minimize inflammation, numb the area, and stop the bleeding.
If you don’t have a cold compress available, apply a Ziplock bag filled with ice and wrapped in a towel.
See Your Dentist for Treatment
You should seek dental treatment very soon after chipping your tooth. Even if the injury doesn’t hurt, it might cause significant problems. The fracture could lead to infections and more dental issues.
Furthermore, dentist could provide various treatments to fix the chip’s cosmetic damage to your smile. Metal-free restorations like crowns would hide gaps and cracks caused by the lost tooth portion. They could also try direct bonding that applies tooth-colored resin to the damaged area. Whatever the case, a dentist’s services could undo the harm to your teeth’s appearance.
A chipped tooth isn’t the end of the world — just remember the steps above and things should be fine!
About the Author
Dr. Christine Laster is one of the top dentists in the Raleigh, NC, community. Versed in comprehensive family dentistry, she offers treatments to the young and old alike. She can manage almost any dental need, whether standard teeth cleaning or services like porcelain veneers and dental implants. Her chief priority in her work is the comfort and well-being of her patients. Dr. Laster currently practices at Rensch and Laster: Family & Cosmetic Dentistry and can be reached at her website or by phone at (919)-787-0355.
