Teeth can splinter frequently and the causes can be many. The severity of the damage and, consequently, the possible solutions vary considerably. If you fear that you have a chipped tooth, you need to take care of it. While this may seem like a minor problem, remember that even a small injury could be accompanied by microfractures. These microscopic openings alter the health of the roots and necessitate a devitalization if they are not identified and treated correctly.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Determining if You Have a Chipped Tooth
Step 1. Go to the dentist
When a tooth breaks, it is necessary to go to the dentist immediately. If you are in pain and bleeding, it is extremely important to seek professional care right away. If you suspect that the tooth is chipped, regardless of whether or not pain is present, call your dentist as soon as possible. You may not be able to see or determine the severity of the damage yourself and correctly; even if you are not in pain, remember that complications may develop in the following days or weeks.
Step 2. Look at the tooth
It may be helpful to do a visual inspection, but be aware that it will not reveal small fractures. If you can, look at the affected tooth in the mirror for any changes in its size. If the break is extensive enough, you should be able to see it. Small chips and fractures are not easy to identify but, on the other hand, they are easy to repair because they require only one session by the dentist. Otherwise, when the damage is extensive, several interventions are required.
- Notice if the tooth is dark in color near the missing piece. This can indicate that the tooth is deteriorating.
- A chipped filling can cause a tooth to chip. Look in the mirror to compare the chipped part with the rest of the tooth.
Step 3. Use the language
If you don't notice any obvious damage, check if the tooth is chipped by rubbing your tongue on its surface. If you perceive wrinkled areas with sharp and jagged edges, it actually could be. Since the shape of your teeth is very familiar to you, you shouldn't have a hard time identifying anomalies.
Sometimes, with a chipped tooth, the sharp edges of dentin and enamel could hurt your tongue, especially at night. Be careful when you put your tongue on it and go to the dentist as soon as possible
Step 4. Pay attention to the pain
There are many indications that you have a chipped tooth, from visual to tactile. The most common is a feeling of discomfort and pain. The pain may be intermittent or occur at specific times, such as when you release pressure while chewing or expose the inside of your mouth to extreme temperatures. The pain of a chipped tooth can be caused by these situations:
- A fracture that extends to the second layer of the tooth or to the pulp, where there are nerve endings and blood vessels;
- The chip is large enough to retain food and thus increase the chances of tooth decay;
- The splinter is vertical and in such a position that it applies pressure to the tooth.
Part 2 of 3: Protect and Manage the Chipped Tooth Yourself
Step 1. Avoid hard foods
A chipped tooth is also weak; it is therefore unable to support the biting and chewing of hard objects. Limit yourself to eating soft foods, so as not to make the situation worse. If possible, chew on the other side of your mouth.
Step 2. Avoid cold drinks and foods
A damaged tooth is very sensitive because its nerve endings are exposed. Cold substances only make the problem worse. Consuming cold foods causes pain; if you find that some foods create discomfort, avoid consuming them, so as not to damage the tooth even more.
Step 3. Consider protecting your teeth with temporary fillers
You can buy dental resins at the pharmacy without a prescription that provide clear and detailed instructions. You will only have to apply them on the fractured area; if the injury causes you a lot of discomfort, it's worth a try.
- Remember that these are temporary materials and do not replace the intervention of the dentist; you will still need to make an appointment as soon as possible.
- These resins degrade quickly. When this happens, the tooth remains very vulnerable to decay.
Step 4. Try dental wax
It is very useful in protecting the cheeks and tongue from the jagged and sharp edges of the chipped tooth. Apply some to the affected area to avoid injuring yourself. The wax also protects the tooth from temperature sensitivity.
- Keep in mind that this is a short-term solution. Dental wax, in fact, comes off very often and must be constantly replaced. Just like with the fillers you find in the pharmacy, the wax does not replace the intervention of the doctor.
- If you have sugar-free chewing gum on hand, you can apply a piece of it to the chipped area.
Step 5. Put on a cold pack
If you are in pain, cold temperatures can help. Wrap some ice in a cloth and place it on your cheek; in this way you numb the nerve endings.
- Never put the cold compress directly on the tooth, otherwise you will make the pain worse instead of soothing it.
- You can also apply a bag of frozen foods if you have nothing else to hand.
Step 6. Take some pain relievers
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, temporarily reduce discomfort. Follow the instructions on the leaflet. While these medications generally do not interfere with any pain relieving medications your dentist may prescribe, remember to tell your doctor about any products you are taking.
You could also put some anesthetic gel on a piece of gauze and hold it on the sore tooth. Try not to swallow the gel or bite too hard
Step 7. Check for bleeding
If you are bleeding, take a piece of sterile gauze or cotton wool, place it in your mouth on the lesion, and bite it to hold it in place. The pressure should stop bleeding until you can go to the dentist.
- When a broken tooth bleeds, the situation is quite serious; an immediate intervention by a dentist is necessary to prevent the tooth from dying.
- If the bleeding continues for more than 15 minutes or seems very profuse, you need to find prompt help. If you can't see your dentist right away, consider going to the emergency room or an emergency dental center.
Step 8. Plan to schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible
If you have a chipped tooth, your dentist needs to evaluate the situation, even if the fracture is small and you are not in pain. Only a professional can correctly diagnose the problem and proceed with the proper treatments. Don't try to heal yourself.
Part 3 of 3: Evaluating the Suitable Treatment
Step 1. Consider having your tooth reshaped
This is the best and quickest solution when the chip is very small. In such a situation, the dentist will file, polish the affected area and make other small changes. This procedure can be completed in a single session.
Step 2. Make an appointment to have your tooth filled
When the damage is moderate, a normal filling may be sufficient to correct the problem. This procedure is slightly more painful than the previous one, but it is doable for medium-sized chips and ends in a single appointment. This is the ideal technique because it offers resistance and a good aesthetic appearance.
Step 3. Consider applying a capsule if the chip is large
In severe cases, capsules and other dental reconstruction techniques may be necessary. If the fracture involves half of the tooth or more, you need a capsule to protect the remaining part. If so, you will need to go to the dentist on multiple occasions to perform the procedure.
Step 4. Have the tooth extracted
If the damage is very severe or you prefer a radical solution, the dentist will proceed with an extraction. This option is perfect in the short term, but a replacement implant will be needed in the future. Discuss this possibility with your dentist to find the best solution.
