Preventing Further Damage to a Chipped Tooth

Repair Your Chipped Tooth

If your tooth has been slightly damaged or chipped, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a significant issue. However, it’s still essential to have it checked out by a dental professional so they can determine your condition’s risks and severity. Hi-Tech Family Dentistry specializes in helping patients heal and recover from their chipped tooth in Southfield, MI. We’ve put together helpful tips and tricks on caring for your broken or damaged tooth and what you can expect from your treatment. Please read on to learn how to preserve your tooth and oral health and well-being.

Treatment options for damaged or chipped teeth at dental clinic in Southfield, MI

Why is My Tooth Chipped?

Tooth chipping happens when part of the tooth’s hard outer layer, or enamel, breaks or cracks, leaving the tooth with an uneven or jagged edge. At their least harmful, chipped teeth are only a minor cosmetic dental fix. However, if their damage has left inner layers or pulp exposed, or they’re causing immense pain and suffering, then they may require a major restorative oral procedure. Chipped teeth can occur for many reasons, including the following:

Facial trauma, such as falling or being hit in the face with a hard object.
Chewing too hard on foods like ice, nuts, or hard candy.
Bruxism, or the chronic grinding or clenching of the teeth.
Aging teeth weaking and wearing out over time.
Teeth with weakened enamel or structure.

What to Do with a Chipped Tooth Immediately After

After your tooth is chipped, the pain and discomfort may cause worry or anxiety. However, trying your best to stay calm and collected is one of the best things you can do during this dental emergency. Once you’ve had time to process your chipped teeth, we recommend taking the following steps:

Assess the Damage: Look in the mirror and gently feel your tooth with your tongue to determine the chip’s size and severity.
Rinse Your Mouth: Carefully consume, gargle, and spit clean water to eliminate blood or debris in or near the tooth.
Save the Broken Piece: Sometimes, the dentist can reattach the broken tooth piece. If you can find it, retrieve and store it in a safe, sanitary place, such as a glass of water.
Make a Dental Appointment: Scheduling an emergency dental visit, or one soon after chipping your tooth, will improve your chances of saving the broken piece and improving the overall outcome.

How to Protect a Chipped Tooth Until Your Appointment

In the worst-case scenario, you may be unable to make an emergency dental appointment. Or, you’ll have to wait a bit before the dentist can see you. Here are a few helpful things you can do before your appointment to prevent chipped teeth from getting worse:

Cover Sharp Edges: If your tooth chip has a jagged or sharp edge, you can cover it with material like dental wax to stop it from cutting inside your mouth.
Avoid Using the Tooth: You should refrain from chewing on the side of your mouth with the chipped tooth, so you don’t put additional stress on it.
Avoid Certain Foods: Hard, crunchy, sticky, or sugary foods can cause tooth pain. Instead, try consuming soft or mushy foods.
Maintain Oral Hygiene: You should still brush, floss, and rinse your mouth like always. However, ensure you perform these tasks more carefully, so you don’t hurt your tooth.
Manage Your Sensitivity: Pain relievers such as over-the-counter medications, cold presses, and desensitizing toothpaste can help you manage and alleviate your suffering.

Your Chipped Tooth Treatment Options

Luckily, there are many treatment options available for chipped and broken teeth. Your dentist will recommend treatments based on your chip’s severity, size, location, and threat to the tooth’s inner layers. Some of the appliances and solutions for chipped teeth include, but are not limited to, the following:

Dental Composite Bonding: Composite bonding is made from a mix of durable plastic and glass that is shaped and molded to rebuild and reinforce chipped teeth.
Dental Crowns: A dental crown, or cap, is a restorative appliance that covers and hides chips and protects teeth from pressure and bacteria.
Veneers: These appliances also hide cracks. However, they’re often only used for minor, cosmetic chips that don’t pose significant dental or health risks.
Composite Fillings: Tooth-colored composite fillings are molded into the chipped area, improving the tooth’s strength and appearance.

What Should I Do During Chipped Tooth Recovery

Hopefully, there will be little to no downtime after treating your chipped teeth. Even so, there are still some precautions you should take to heal successfully and avoid setbacks in recovery, such as the following:

Follow Dentist’s Instructions: Your dentist will likely provide specific aftercare instructions based on your treatment. Ensure you follow them carefully.
Be Gentle to Your Tooth: Avoid hard food and highly acidic drinks. Brush and floss gently and avoid physical contact with your mouth.
Monitor Your Progress: If your pain, discomfort, or other symptoms occur after being treated, schedule a follow-up dental appointment to have your mouth reassessed.

Get Your Chipped Tooth Examined Today

If you’ve suddenly damaged or broken a part of your tooth, making a dental visit is critical. Doing so will improve the chances of preserving your tooth and save you more time and money in the long run. Hi-Tech Family Dentistry has extensive experience and advanced training in assessing and treating tooth damage of all sizes and severities. Whether your tooth chipping is major or minor, our team will provide the innovative equipment, technology, and solutions to fix, heal, and recover it. Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and we’ll provide you with a customized treatment to restore your oral health and well-being.