When people think of chipped teeth, images of assorted accidents often come to mind. Yet it’s possible to chip a tooth from everyday actions, such as biting into a piece of hard candy or accidentally chomping on ice while drinking water or juice. Even teeth grinding can cause chips. Below, review what steps dentists recommend taking if you chip a tooth.

What to Do Following the Accident

No matter why you chipped your tooth, immediately rinse with warm water, preferably warm salty water, to clean your mouth and avoid infection. If the affected area starts bleeding and swelling, apply a cold compress to stop both problems from worsening.

Take over-the-counter pain medication to relieve discomfort and apply a protective barrier to the tooth to avoid cutting your tongue on its jagged edges. Use paraffin wax or sugarless gum to cover the tooth, or orthodontic wax if you have some from wearing braces.

Should you be unable to see your dentist right away, consume soft foods only, and do not bite down on the tooth to avoid further damage. If a significant portion of the tooth broke off that you were able to recover, place it in damp gauze or other clean, wet material and bring it with you to the dental office. Placing the tooth in milk is another option to keep the calcium active and prevent drying.

How a Dentist Can Fix the Issue

Dentists provide several solutions to chipped teeth, depending on the extent of the damage and the health of the affected tooth. If you can see a dental professional immediately, it may be possible to reattach the broken segment using dental cement. Small chips in molars usually get repaired with filling materials, while those affecting front teeth undergo repair with bonding, or applying tooth-colored resin that is hardened with ultraviolet light.

Severe chips typically call for dental veneers. The dentist etches the remaining natural tooth to create a rough surface for bonding the veneer, then uses ultraviolet light to cure the adhesive. Veneers look and function like real teeth. 

If you chipped a tooth or need dental services for any other reason, contact Daniel M Hamrick DDS. Specializing in family, preventive, general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry, this dentist has served China Grove and Rowan County in North Carolina since 1981. Call the office today at (704) 857-7497 to request an appointment or visit the practice online for new patient information.