Having a good oral hygiene routine is necessary to keep your teeth and gums healthy. But sometimes, no matter how well you care for your oral health, you cannot protect your teeth from getting chipped. Be it an injury, a fall, or biting into something too hard, chipping a tooth is a common occurrence.
However, just because it is common doesn’t mean people know what to do when they chip a tooth. That is why in this blog, we have put together all the details and pointers you need to know in case of a dental emergency such as this, so let’s get right into it.
Causes of Chipped Tooth
Before you jump straight into damage control, it is essential to understand what causes your dental enamel to break apart. After all, your pearly whites aren’t that weak, so how do they chip off so easily? Well, the reasons behind this grave injury are as such:
- Accidentally getting hit in the face really hard.
- A poor diet that lacks proper vitamins and nutrition.
- Biting into something extremely hard or rough.
- Suffering from a sports-related injury.
- Tooth decay.
- Constantly grinding or clenching your teeth.
While the cause is usually an external force or trauma, it can sometimes be brought upon by poor oral health as well. In either case, it is necessary to follow good oral care to prevent your teeth from weakening.
What To Do When You Chip Your Tooth
If you had the misfortune of chipping a piece of your tooth, don’t worry. There are steps you can take to minimize the damage. For instance, if only a small part of your tooth broke off, make sure to keep that piece safe. Wrap it up in a small piece of gauze and take it to the dentist. Depending on the condition, they may be able to bond it back into place.
However, if you lose the chipped tooth, don’t worry. Just make sure to apply a cold compress over the area to stop the bleeding and keep the swelling at bay. You should also immediately rinse your mouth with water and swish some salt water solution to ensure there’s no hidden bacterium.
Lastly, the only thing you can do is head over to an emergency dental care center for further relief, especially if there is a lot of pain.
Can a Chipped Tooth Repair on its Own?
Unfortunately, no. Once your tooth breaks, it cannot repair itself or grow back to its original position. You will need to undergo dental treatment to fix the appearance. In such cases, dental bonding, veneers, crowns, and dental onlays offer the best possible solution.
Closing Words
In case of a chipped tooth, the only thing you can do is reach out to your dentist and schedule an appointment immediately. This prevents the broken tooth from getting infected over time. For more information on that matter, contact Almond Dental at either of the following locations:
- St. Anthony Location: 3803 Silver Lake Rd NE, St Anthony, MN 55421, United StatesContact Number: (612) 782-7000
Maple Grove Location: 11301 Fountains Dr, Maple Grove, MN 55369, United StatesContact Number: (763 ) 762-7177