Actions to Take If You Have a Chipped or Cracked Tooth

Damages to the teeth can occur in different ways and the damage could either be slight or extensive. The type of injury and the condition of your teeth will determine whether the damages have resulted in a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth. If it is a minor chip you can leave it alone but in all other cases, the only option available would be to visit a dentist for having it fixed.

The condition of a chipped or cracked tooth will be painful and will bring upon you the need to address the issue before you reach the dentist’s office. You should attempt to protect the tooth and the inside of your mouth to prevent any further injuries.

What to Do When You Have a Chipped or Cracked Tooth?

Dentists do not advise home remedies for broken teeth but you can certainly attempt to protect the tooth and your mouth by using the methods suggested below before you reach the dentist’s office.

Actions for A Chipped Tooth

You should be rinsing your mouth with warm water if you have broken or chipped a tooth for cleaning it. This is a suggestion provided by the American Dental Association. Applying pressure to stop any bleeding and placing a cold compress on the area to reduce swelling is also suggested. If you find the piece of the broken tooth just wrap it in wet gauze and take it with you to the dentist.

Actions for a Knocked-out Tooth

If the tooth has been knocked out of your mouth using a gauze pad to hold it by the Crown and place it back in the socket is suggested if possible. If dirt has accumulated on the tooth you can rinse it off with water without scrubbing the roots. If it cannot be placed back in the socket you must place it in a small container of milk and attempt to reach the dentist within 30 minutes.

How to Find Relief from the Pain for a Chipped Tooth?

Flushing the inside of your mouth with warm water and applying cold compresses on the face is suggested to reduce the swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories can also be used without exceeding the dosage. Application of clove oil to the area also proves helpful as it contains eugenol which acts as a numbing agent. You may find the relief you need from the suggestions made but it is important for you also to get to the dentist as soon as possible for dental restoration.

Protecting Your Mouth until You Reach the Dentist

Teeth with tiny chips or a jagged edge can slice your tongue or damage your mouth. An application of dental wax over the edges is suggested. However, if you have a large chip or a portion of the tooth missing dental wax is not recommended. You should avoid chewing on the side of the damages in your mouth and attempt to reduce pressure and irritation around the tooth by flossing.

Chips and Cracks That Must Be Seen by Dentists

Trying to determine the intensity of the damage yourself will be difficult and therefore you will be every likelihood have to visit a dentist or even the smallest cracks and chips. No effective home remedies are available to prevent further injuries to your teeth and mouth because the sharp edges of a cracked tooth can cut into the soft tissues in the mouth causing pain, infection and expensive treatments from a dentist. Untreated damages to the tooth can even result in a root canal or complications of other types because of the infection.

How Soon Do You Need to See the Dentist?

Some injuries to the mouth will let you wait until you can secure an appointment with your dentist but others may require emergency treatment. You can consider yourself fortunate if you have a chipped or cracked tooth which isn’t bothering you intensely and is allowing you the flexibility to wait until your dentist is available during normal working hours. However, reaching the dentist is an essential requirement that you cannot overlook.

The dentist is the sole authority that can determine whether the damage in your mouth can be restored with dental crowns or you need other types of intensive treatment. The nature of the injury and the magnitude of the damage you have suffered will determine the type of dental restoration the dentist suggests for your specific requirement.