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Chipping a tooth is fairly common. Usually, a chipped tooth looks bad but doesn’t cause any health risks.
However, a chipped or cracked tooth may allow bacteria to enter into the person’s system if the tooth’s enamel is penetrated. If the enamel is compromised and the pulp is infected, then the possibility of tooth loss increases.
There are several remedies for a chipped tooth that will help settle your fears. Let’s take a look at what they are:
What Should I Do if I Have a Chipped Tooth?
A chipped tooth may or may not be painful, depending on the nature of the break and where it is located on the tooth. If the crack or chip is deep, it may affect the nerve and cause pain.
If the chipped tooth is indeed causing pain, you will need to see a dentist to have the tooth evaluated. In the meantime, there are things you can do to help the situation:
1. Rinse
After a tooth has been chipped, get a cup of warm water, add salt to the water, and use this solution to rinse out your mouth. The warm saltwater will help alleviate any pain and will also help to prevent infection.
2. Ice
Inflammation isn’t unusual with a broken or chipped tooth. When inflammation does happen, it exhibits in the jawline near where the tooth was chipped – so apply an ice pack near the location of the chipped tooth to help reduce the swelling.
3. Use Dental Wax
You can also place soft dental wax (which you can buy at a drugstore) over the sharp edges of the chipped tooth. This prevents the tooth from scratching or cutting the inside of your mouth or from grinding against other teeth.
Sugarless gum can also be used if dental wax isn’t readily available.
4. Take Pain Relievers
Eliminate pain with over-the-counter medication as necessary. If your tooth is sensitive after it’s been chipped, then avoid foods that are too hot or too cold. If necessary, only consume soft foods and liquids until the dentist repairs the tooth.
5. Save the Chip
It may help your dentist if you were able to retrieve the chip of tooth that broke off. Carefully rinse off the chip with water, and place it in a sealed sandwich-style plastic bag. Make sure no one will think it is garbage; place it in your personal desk drawer and make a note for yourself so you won’t forget it.
Take the piece(s) with you to the dental appointment to have it fixed. There is a slight chance that the dentist can use the pieces to repair your tooth in a more natural way than if the dentist had to use bonding or other method.