What Do I Do If I Chip A Tooth?

What Do I Do If I Chip A Tooth? What You Should Know

Chipped teeth are a common dental emergency. Your tooth enamel is very strong, but it can still break in some situations. You may chip your tooth if you slip and fall, take a hard hit in a contact sport, or even if you just bite a piece of hard food.

So, what should you do if you chip your tooth in Orlando? Find out now in this blog from Elite Dentistry. We’ll also discuss a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of breaking or chipping a tooth in the future.

What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth?

First, don’t panic. Rinse out your mouth to remove any blood, debris, or contaminants. If you can, you should recover the tooth fragments and put them in a small container of milk. Depending on your situation, Dr. Ashy may be able to use these to repair your tooth.

Next, call Elite Dentistry right away. Dr. Ashy always has space for emergency same-day appointments at our office. Don’t go to the ER or urgent care. Chipped teeth need to be repaired by a dentist.

After you’ve called us at (407) 658-0103 to schedule an appointment, you can take steps to mitigate your pain and discomfort. If your tooth is bleeding, use a piece of gauze, a paper towel, or a cotton ball to place gentle pressure on the site and stop the bleeding.

You can also take a pain reliever like ibuprofen to help with discomfort. Applying a cold pack to the outside of the cheek near the chipped tooth may help numb it. If you have some on-hand, you can apply dental wax or temporary dental cement to the chipped tooth to help with pain and sensitivity. You can pick these products up at your local drugstore or pharmacy.

Then, come into Elite Dentistry as soon as you can for your appointment. Dr. Ashy will examine your mouth and provide you with the treatment you need to restore your smile and eliminate your pain and discomfort.

How Can I Avoid Chipping A Tooth?

Chipping a tooth isn’t always avoidable, but there are a few steps you can take to reduce the risk of damaging your teeth.

• Maintain good oral hygiene – Brushing and flossing help keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong, so they’re less likely to break or chip.
• Go to the dentist for six-month checkups – Seeing a dentist like Dr. Ashy every six months helps you avoid gum disease and tooth decay, and ensures your mouth is 100% healthy.
• Get a nightguard if you grind your teeth – Grinding your teeth can weaken them and cause chipping. If you grind your teeth while you sleep, a nightguard can help protect your smile.
• Wear a mouthguard while playing sports – Athletic mouthguards dramatically reduce the risk of tooth damage while playing sports and other recreational activities.
• Watch what you eat (and how you eat it) – You should chew very hard foods like nuts with your rear teeth instead of your front teeth, as your front teeth are thinner and are more likely to chip.  Don’t chew ice, either. Ice is very hard and cold, and this combination can damage your teeth.

Got A Chipped Tooth In Orlando? Contact Elite Dentistry For Help

If you chip your tooth, you need to get same-day emergency dental care in Orlando to preserve your tooth, relieve your pain, and get you back to your day-to-day routine. So don’t wait. Contact us online or call Elite Dentistry at (407) 658-0103 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Ashy and get the help you need right away.