What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth Alpharetta, GA
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 Windward Parkway Dentistry in Alpharetta is here to help. Call us at (770) 814-6224 to learn more or schedule an appointment.
Chipped Teeth Are Common
A chipped tooth is a common dental injury. According to the American Association of Endodontists, chipped teeth account for a majority of dental injuries. Although a chipped tooth can induce panic and anxiety, it is typically a mild problem that we can fix through various methods.
People should remain calm so they can take the proper steps to fix this problem. The best thing for patients to do after chipping a tooth is to focus on their breath and slow it down. While not all chipped teeth will require treatment, patients should visit our dentist to ensure that they receive the necessary treatment to restore and protect their teeth.
“According to the American Association of Endodontists, chipped teeth account for a majority of dental injuries.”
What To Do About a Chipped Tooth
People suffering from a chipped tooth should schedule a dental appointment since professional treatment is the only way to fix it permanently. It is important to immediately take certain steps after chipping a tooth to address pain and protect the tooth and inside of the mouth from further injury. According to the American Dental Association, people should rinse their mouth with warm water right away to clean it.
After rinsing, they should apply pressure to stop any bleeding and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. People should be sure to save any pieces of the chipped tooth and wrap them in wet gauze to bring to our dentist. While waiting to see our dentist, people can use over-the-counter pain medication to manage pain and discomfort.
“It is important to immediately take certain steps after chipping a tooth to address pain and protect the tooth and inside of the mouth from further injury.”
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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How to Take Care of a Chipped Tooth Once It Has Been Repaired
Depending on how the chipped tooth was repaired, the patient may require different levels of tooth maintenance to preserve its integrity. Immediately following the repair procedure, we will give the patient-specific instructions about how to care for the tooth in the aftermath.
These general maintenance principles apply across all chipped teeth that have been repaired:
- Exercise proper oral care by gently brushing twice daily and flossing once daily.
- Use products that are specially formulated for sensitive teeth, such as toothpaste and mouthwashes.
- Do not use teeth to open objects, and do not bite down on anything too hard.
- Get routine dental assessments (usually every six months) so that the health of the tooth can be monitored.
“Immediately following the repair procedure, we will give the patient-specific instructions about how to care for the tooth in the aftermath.”
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 Windward Parkway Dentistry can help restore a chipped tooth's function and appearance. Call us today at 770-814-6224 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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