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Your teeth are made of some of the hardest materials in your body, allowing them to grip, grind, and chew through foods with ease. However, your teeth can get chipped or cracked, leaving you with exposed nerves and potential for infection. Before calling your dentist for an emergency appointment, learn more about the seriousness of your damaged tooth.

Causes

There's no single cause for a chipped tooth, but some of the most common include falls or accidents, forceful blows, teeth grinding, and chewing ice or hard candies.

While a broken or chipped tooth won't cause you immediate pain, bacteria and infection can get into the microscopic crack and lead to nerve irritation. For most people, this is when they first experience a toothache and become sensitive to hot or cold foods and beverages.

Symptoms

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For people with severe chips, pain and sensitivity generally follow after the incident. You may feel an instant jagged surface when you run your tongue along your teeth, and you can have more pain when biting down or eating.

It's important to know that a mild or persistent toothache may not always be the result of a chipped tooth. However, if you suspect that it is, call your dentist for a full evaluation.

Treatments

If the chip to your tooth's surface is minimal, your dentist may suggest covering it with a filling and then smoothing it out to match your other teeth. This procedure is minimal and can usually be done in a single visit.

Severe cracks and chips require immediate attention. In the moments following your accident, rinse your mouth with warm water to flush out any bacteria and apply pressure to stop bleeding. If you have swelling, place an icepack on your cheek to help calm the inflammation. Finally, cover the part of the tooth that has fallen out with saline and schedule an appointment with your dentist.

 

If you have a chipped tooth, contact the team at Genovese Dental in Cottleville, MO. They offer superior care and a warm environment that’ll put you at ease. Led by Dr. Michael P. Genovese, these experts have years of experience and offer everything from routine oral care to cosmetic dentistry services. To schedule your consultation or oral procedure, call (636) 928-4090. You can also visit their website for more information on all that they offer.

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