Proper preventative care, like brushing and flossing twice daily, is essential to preventing common problems that lead to dental emergencies. However, even if your teeth are clean and healthy, it’s still possible to injure your teeth.
For instance, you might bite into something overly hard and chip your enamel. If you’ve hurt a tooth and are unsure what happens next, continue reading to learn 3 ways to help yourself!
Step #1: Rinse Your Mouth
You might not think of your chipped tooth as an urgent matter, and in some circumstances, it’s safe to wait a day or two before contacting your dentist. Usually, though, it’s important to schedule an appointment sooner rather than later.
This is because your mouth is full of germs eager to penetrate your tooth to cause an infection. Even a seemingly minor surface problem can run deeper than you know, and only your dentist has the equipment and experience to identify the extent of the harm done.
To prevent a possible infection and remove any blood, dirt, or other debris in your mouth, rinse gently with warm salt water to clear away unwanted particles. This natural disinfectant also functions as an anti-inflammatory to ease aches if the injury was caused by a blow to the face during team sports or another close-contact activity.
Step #2: Preserve the Tooth
If the entire tooth was dislodged, locate it as quickly as possible and pick it up, but only handle the crown (the tooth-shaped portion) to preserve the viable cells of the roots. Otherwise, try to find any large pieces that broke off. Remember, they might still be in your mouth, so be careful not to swallow them.
Enamel has jagged edges that might scratch the tender tissues inside your mouth, but you can try covering the injured pearly white with dental wax to avoid lacerations while waiting for your scheduled appointment.
Step #3: Address Aches
It’s normal to feel sore if you’ve been hit in the face or bit into something so hard that it chipped a tooth. Fortunately, there are ways to alleviate swelling and soreness until it’s time to see your dentist.
For instance, taking over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or Tylenol is usually a safe way to address any associated throbbing. You can also try placing an ice pack or cold compress on the achy side of your face for 15 minutes at a time for a temporary numbing reprieve.
Once you arrive at your dental office, your provider will examine your mouth and suggest appropriate treatments, like dental bonding or a dental crown, to restore your damaged tooth’s appearance and functionality.
About the Practice
Patients at BridgeMill Dental Care benefit from several dentists with decades of combined experience helping people of all ages build and maintain healthy smiles. They provide a comprehensive array of services conveniently under one roof, including emergency care, to meet even the most unique needs. Then, they combine a compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to deliver accurate treatment results intended to last. Plus, they offer dental sedation, so you don’t have to wait for relief. If you chipped a tooth and need help, you can request an appointment on the website or call (803) 650-3925.