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Chipping a tooth, especially from a blow to the face or a fall, can be quite painful. Although the tooth enamel is the hardest part of the tooth, it cannot sustain too much pressure at times. If you happen to chip your tooth, do not panic. If you chipped your tooth during the weekend, during the holidays, or when you are out of town, and cannot see your dentist immediately, here’s what you can do:

• As suggested by ADA, rinse your mouth with warm water immediately to clean it.
• If there is any bleeding, apply pressure to stop it.
• Hold a cold compress around the area to reduce any swelling.
• If you experience extreme pain, take an over-the-counter pain-reliever.
• Get dental wax from the drug store and cover the chipped edge so that it does not cut your tongue or the insides of your cheek.
• When you eat, avoid biting down on the affected teeth.

Why You Should See a Dentist

We recommend you see the dentist, however big or small the chipping is. The dentist would be the better person to suggest treatment or no treatment. Although most people deem it necessary to visit the dentist only if their front teeth are chipped, that should not be the case. While chipping of molar teeth at the back of your jaw may not affect your aesthetics, there may be cracks that are not visible to you. These could run to the inside of your tooth or to the pulp chamber. The more the damage, the more the risk involved. So, see the dentist as soon as possible.

Treatment Options for Chipped Teeth

The treatment options typically suggested for chipped teeth are:

• Cosmetic Contouring: The dentist can polish the edges of the tooth to even it out.
• Dental Bonding: If the chipping is minimal, the dentist will apply a tooth-colored composite resin on the tooth and shape it to look natural.
• Dental Veneers:If the chipped area is obvious, you may need a veneer or a tooth-like shell that is placed over your existing tooth to mask the chipping.
• Dental Crown:In case you lost a large chunk of your tooth, you could get a permanent dental cap or crown that takes care of the aesthetics and protects it from possible infection.

If you have a chipped tooth, call your dentist for an appointment immediately.