A chipped tooth can occur from a number of situations, including trauma or eating excessively hard foods. No matter how it happens, the reality is that it's never expected. Since you can't always avoid this issue, it's important that you at least know what to do should you be faced with it.
What To Do
In the event you've chipped a tooth, don't panic. If there is any bleeding, place a gauze pad over the area and press on it. The gauze pad will help soak up the blood and the pressure will stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, you want to rinse your mouth with plain, warm water to flush it.
At this point, if you haven't already done so, make an appointment with your dental provider to have the tooth looked at, as your dentist can help you formulate the best plan of action. In the event you can't see your provider right away, try to keep the chip covered until your visit. An over-the-counter dental wax can serve as a temporary filling. Place your tooth fragments in a bag so you can take them to your appointment with you.
Treatment Options
In some cases, your provider may be able to reattach your tooth fragments to help restore your smile. However, if this isn't an option, you can still restore your smile with a veneer. Veneers are generally made from a composite resin or a ceramic material and look like thin, shell-like teeth structures.
In a case of a chipped tooth, the veneer gets bonded on to the front of the damaged tooth, creating a protective covering. To the untrained eye, a veneer looks just like a regular tooth. To help make it look more natural, the veneer is generally colored to resemble the natural shade of your other teeth before it is installed.
Don't Put It Off
Make sure you are not putting off treatment for your chipped tooth. You might feel that if the chip didn't occur on a front tooth, it can't be seen, so you can ignore it. Whenever the inside of a tooth is left exposed there is always the potential for root damage and infection from the different bacteria that are always found in the mouth. In cases of severe root damage or infection, this could result in extreme discomfort and tooth loss, so make sure you act promptly.
In the event you are plagued with this issue, make sure you are reaching out to your dental provider for assistance. For more information, contact a dental office such as Kimberling City Dental Center.
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