It’s natural to feel anxious if you’re in the middle of a dental emergency. Even something as seemingly simple as a cracked or broken tooth can progress into a real problem if it’s not addressed sooner rather than later. If you’ve chipped your tooth and don’t know how to handle it, don’t worry! Continue reading to learn about 4 proactive steps you and your dentist can take to preserve your smile through your urgent situation.
Step #1: Rinse Your Mouth
A chipped tooth compromises its structure, making it more vulnerable to infection. Immediately rinsing your mouth ensures that any blood, dirt, or germs are cleared away. Remember, the piece that broke off may still be in your mouth, so be careful not to swallow it.
Step #2: Preserve Your Tooth
Depending on what happened and the severity of the damage, it can be helpful to bring the damaged bits of tooth with you to your appointment. If it’s a clean break, your dentist might be able to replace your tooth. Store it in a container with milk or some of your saliva so the cells on its surface remain viable. Then, put it in a safe place that’s easy to find when it’s time to leave for your dental appointment.
Step #3: Contact Your Dentist
If you haven’t already, it’s time to call your dentist. Many providers offer same-day appointments for urgent scenarios that require immediate attention, so you won’t have to wait to get the help you need. Over the phone, they’ll gather information about what happened and walk you through self-care steps you can take until you arrive at your scheduled time.
Step #4: Examination & Treatment Options
When you arrive for your emergency appointment, your dentist will examine your mouth to determine the extent of the damage. If you sustained an injury or are in pain, they can administer a topical anesthetic or sedatives to alleviate your discomfort. Then, based on your unique circumstances, they’ll recommend appropriate treatment to protect your tooth and enhance its appearance.
For example, they can rebuild your tooth by applying dental bonding that’s color-matched to your natural teeth. To do so, they apply a small amount of composite resin to your tooth to fill in the chip or crack. Then, they mold it into the perfect shape and harden it in place with a special ultraviolet curing light. Otherwise, veneers can also be used to mask aesthetic issues like chipped teeth. These durable ceramic covers can also be customized for a perfectly seamless smile.
Now that you know what to do if you chip a tooth, you can act quickly to preserve your grin if you have an urgent situation!
About the Practice
At Canyon Creek Family Dentistry of Richardson, patients of all ages benefit from a team of dentists with decades of combined experience. They work cohesively together to offer a full array of benefits at one convenient location to streamline your family’s oral health care. With state-of-the-art equipment onsite and multiple forms of sedation available, they can help you feel comfortable even in the middle of an emergency. They have same-day appointments available, so if you need immediate help, you don’t have to wait to be seen. You can request one on the website or by calling (972) 644-3800.