What Should I Do About My Chipped Tooth?
Chipping a tooth is very common, and oftentimes, it's nothing to worry about and is treatable. With that being said, although not all chipped teeth are emergencies and can often be cosmetic, none must be ignored. Let your dentist know so that you can get ahead of the damage before it worsens. Below are a few common questions/recommendations when it comes to dealing with a chipped tooth.
Assess the Damage
If you experience a chipped tooth, assess the damage. You may feel pain or sensitivity, sharp edges, or cracks. There are a few different severity levels when it comes to a chipped tooth.
- Small chipped tooth: For a minor chip, the damage is likely only cosmetic and is not large enough to damage the enamel.
- Medium chipped tooth: A medium-sized chip can damage the layers beneath the enamel. It is important to see the dentist quickly to avoid an infection.
- Large chipped tooth: A large chip is often the most noticeable cosmetically and poses the greatest threat to infection. With a large chip, the tooth's nerve is likely exposed and can be extremely painful.
- Moderate crack: If a crack is moderate, the tooth may have an opening. If you notice this, it is very important to call the dentist right away to repair the tooth.
- Severe crack: If the crack is larger and goes up to the gum line, a more intensive treatment plan may be required.
Immediate Action
If you chip your tooth, it is important to take the steps below:
- Warm water rinse: Rinsing your mouth with warm water can clear away any blood, food, or other foreign objects/fluids, as well as soothe the pain.
- Stop the bleeding: If the tooth is bleeding, take a clean towel or gauze and apply mild pressure to the tooth and change as needed.
- Cold compress: Use an ice pack or cold compress and hold it on your face where the chipped tooth is. This can help reduce the pain and swelling.
- Pain medicine: If necessary, take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Similar to a cold compress, this can help reduce the pain and swelling. If you are bleeding, avoid aspirin or any medications that may inhibit your blood from clotting.
- Save the chipped fragment: If you were able to, hold onto the tooth fragment that chipped off. If you do not have it, it is not a cause for alarm.
- Communicate with your dentist: While not all chipped teeth are a medical emergency, it is important to let your dentist know. If the chip is large enough, it may expose a nerve and cause serious pain. In this case, contact your dentist immediately.
If a chip is ignored for long enough, this could result in more serious damage and lead to:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Change to your smile
- General tooth pain/aches
- Damage to the enamel
- Infection
- Tooth loss
Treatment Options
Your dentist will work with you to come up with the best plan for you. Below are a few common treatments for a chipped tooth:
- Enamel shaping or polishing: For a chipped tooth, the dentist may smooth out and polish the tooth so that it aligns and blends in with the others next to it.
- Bonding: Bonding is done by using a composite resin to fill in the chip.
- Veneers: Not only are veneers used for cosmetic purposes, but they can also be used to fix a chipped or broken tooth. They look natural, are durable, and provide protection by adding an additional layer to the tooth.
- Crowns: Crowns are in the shape of your tooth and cover it like a cap. This is common if you lose a large portion of your tooth.
- Filling: A filling, which can be made of many materials such as resin, porcelain, or metal, is not only used to fill cavities but can also be used to fix minor cracks or chips.