Teeth are strong and usually don’t break, so when it happens to you, you might wonder what to do. What do you do when you have a chipped tooth? It’s a good idea to make an appointment with your dentist right away, but there are also some steps you can take at home while you wait for your appointment. Westborough Dental Associates can help you repair a chipped tooth and restore your smile.
Do I Need to See My Dentist For A Chipped Tooth?
If you find yourself with chipped, broken or fractured tooth, it’s important to visit Westborough Dental Associates or your local dentist as soon as possible. If you wait, your chipped tooth could become even more damaged and require much more extensive treatment. Worse yet, the damaged tooth could become infected, resulting in serious health risks and possible tooth loss.
5 Ways to Fix a Chipped Tooth at Home
Until you are able to see a dentist, you can try the following self-care measures:
- Manage the pain by taking acetaminophen, ibuprofen or another type of over-the-counter pain reliever.
- Rinse your mouth out with salt water to reduce the risk of infection.
- If the chipped tooth has a jagged or sharp edge, cover it with a piece of sugarless chewing gum or wax paraffin to protect your tongue and cheek.
- Eat only softer foods and do not bite down on the damaged tooth until it has been treated by a dentist..
- Treat the tooth with Dentemp or a similar product, which are available at most drugstores and pharmacies. These are designed to temporarily cover a chipped tooth until you can consult with a dentist.
How Your Dentist Will Fix Your Chipped Tooth?
The treatment for a chipped or broken tooth depends largely on the severity of the damage. If only a small piece of the enamel has chipped off, your dentist will most likely be able to repair the tooth in a single office visit. However, a badly broken or damaged tooth may require more complicated procedures, which may require more than one office visit. Below are some recommended treatments to repair your chipped or broken tooth.
- Dental Bonding: If only a small piece of the enamel is chipped, your dentist may be able to use a composite resin and bond it to the tooth. This is a relatively simple procedure that usually does not require anesthetic and blends into your tooth for a natural appearance.
- Porcelain Dental Veneers: A chipped or broken tooth that is visible when you smile may benefit from dental veneers. Part of the tooth enamel is removed to adhere the veneer, which is a thin porcelain shell designed in a dental lab to match the shape and hue of your natural tooth.
- Crowns: Dental crowns are designed to hold the natural tooth together after damage or a root canal. This preserves as much of the natural tooth structure as possible while allowing you to use the tooth for biting and chewing as you normally would. This also seals off the inside of the tooth to protect it from infection.
Chipped Tooth Treatment in Westborough, MA
A chipped tooth exposes the sensitive tissues inside to bacteria, food particles, and can make you uncomfortable, so don’t wait to get a chipped tooth treated. Call (508) 342-1519 or contact Westborough Dental Associates online to schedule an appointment.