3210 Wilkinson Blvd, Ste. B-2, Charlotte, NC 28208
Steps to Take If You Chip Your Tooth
A chipped tooth can happen for various reasons, ranging from accidents to simply chewing. It's important to seek professional dental care for proper evaluation and treatment to prevent the issue from worsening.
If you experience a chipped tooth, don’t wait to get help. Urban Family Dental in Charlotte and the surrounding area is ready to assist you. Call us today at (704) 900-5445 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
Chipped Teeth Are Common
A chipped tooth is a common dental injury, making up a significant portion of dental issues, according to the American Association of Endodontists. While it can understandably cause panic and anxiety, a chipped tooth is usually a manageable problem that can be treated in various ways.
It’s important for individuals to stay calm and take the appropriate steps to address the situation. After chipping a tooth, patients should focus on their breathing to help ease anxiety. While not every chipped tooth will require treatment, it’s essential to visit our dentist to ensure proper care and protection for your teeth.
Assisting Family Members with Oral Hygiene
Since oral health directly impacts overall health, it's essential to educate children and other family members about proper oral hygiene. Open conversations about the importance of dental care can make a significant difference. If any family member feels anxious about visiting the dentist, discuss options with the dental team to help make the experience less intimidating. Everyone in the family should understand oral hygiene and how to care for their smiles.
Both children and adults should follow similar oral hygiene routines. There is a common misconception that a child's dental care is less important because baby teeth will eventually fall out. However, baby teeth are still crucial, as they are connected to the jawbone in the same way as adult teeth. Neglecting oral care for baby teeth can weaken the adult teeth that follow, increasing the risk of decay and disease later on. That's why dental professionals recommend that children begin visiting the dentist regularly at an early age.
Regardless of age, everyone should prioritize their oral health and establish a consistent hygiene routine. As individuals age, their smiles may have different needs, and they should feel comfortable discussing these with our dental team to receive the appropriate guidance and support.
What To Do About a Chipped Tooth
If you have a chipped tooth, it's crucial to schedule a dental appointment, as professional treatment is the only way to achieve a lasting fix. Immediately after chipping a tooth, there are important steps to take to manage pain and protect the tooth and surrounding areas from further injury.
According to the American Dental Association, you should rinse your mouth with warm water right away to clean the area. After rinsing, apply gentle pressure to stop any bleeding, and use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Be sure to save any pieces of the chipped tooth and wrap them in damp gauze to bring to your dentist. While waiting for your appointment, you can take over-the-counter pain medication to alleviate discomfort.
Chipped Tooth in a Child vs. Adult
Chipping a tooth is common for both adults and children, but there are specific concerns for each group. Chipped primary teeth are particularly frequent in children, and we recommend treatments tailored to the patient’s age and the severity of the injury.
When addressing chipped primary teeth in children, the primary concern is to protect the developing permanent tooth underneath. Since a child's permanent teeth are not fully formed, prompt attention is crucial if a chip occurs. Regardless of whether the chipped tooth is in a child or an adult, it’s important to see our dentist as soon as possible for treatment.
Repairing a Chipped Tooth
There are several methods to repair a chipped tooth, depending on the condition of the tooth and the extent of the injury. In some cases, our dentist can reattach the broken piece. If the damage is minimal, cosmetic contouring may be sufficient to polish the tooth's surface or smooth out a jagged edge. Other options include veneers to cover the chip or dental bonding to fill in missing tooth structure.
For chips that extend below the tooth's surface, more extensive repairs may be necessary, such as a root canal or extraction. A root canal is needed if the damage reaches the pulp and causes infection. Extraction is considered a last resort when a root canal cannot save the tooth. Patients should reach out to us to explore available repair options.
Frequently Asked Questions
New patients and emergency appointments welcome
Dental Emergency Terminology
Abscess
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus the forms in the tooth root from a bacterial infection.
Cosmetic Contouring
A treatment that involves removing a small amount of tooth enamel with a drill to sculpt a more aesthetic shape and create a better fit for the surrounding teeth.
Facial Cellulitis
Facial cellulitis is a condition in which an infection from an abscess or plaque in the teeth causes pain and spreads throughout the face.
Impacted Wisdom Tooth
An impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth that does not erupt from the gums properly that can cause pain and become infected without professional extraction.
Irreversible Pulpitis
Irreversible pulpitis is when the pain in the tooth occurs spontaneously or continues to hurt after the patient removes the hot/cold substance that was causing pain. Normal pulpitis will cease hurting directly after removing what is causing the pain.
Lateral Luxation
Lateral luxation is the displacement of a tooth that moves it in the wrong direction while it is still attached to the gums.
Pericoronitis
Pericoronitis is the inflammation of soft tissues surrounding a tooth that does not fully erupt from the gums and causes pain.
Root Canal
The chamber within the root of the tooth that contains the pulp.
Tooth Avulsion
Tooth avulsion is when the tooth completely displaces from the socket due to an accident or other health issues. We can replant the tooth if the patient seeks immediate care.
Tooth Fracture
A tooth fracture can result from multiple sources including an accidental elbow to the face during a sports game, biting on something really hard, falling face first and more.