Whether you suffer a chipped tooth from a foul during a pickup basketball game or by taking a tumble down the stairs, you know how much discomfort you can experience from this dental emergency. You’ll need to act quickly to protect your mouth and also lessen the chipped tooth pain until you can get an appointment with a reliable dentist.
When you chip a tooth, the gum area near the tooth can become irritated, contributing to the pain. You may feel pressure when you bite, and if the chip occurred near a nerve, you may experience even more pain.
Fortunately, there are a number of options for self-treatment. You can try these temporary chipped tooth repairs at home to keep your mouth comfortable until you can make it to the dentist.
Cover the Tooth to Protect It
The first thing you should do is call your dentist and set up an appointment. The second thing you should do is cover the sharp part of the hurt tooth with a small piece of wax or a bit of chewing gum to protect your tooth as well as the rest of the mouth.
If you have a sharp edge on the chip, you don’t want to cut your tongue or cheek lining. Affixing the gum or wax onto the tooth will keep it from rubbing and irritating your mouth.
Eat and Drink Carefully
You may have mealtimes while you wait for your dental appointment. You can eat, but choose what you consume carefully. You don’t want to eat anything hard, such as carrots, as doing so could lead to further chipping. Choose soft foods, like eggs or yogurt, and try to chew on the other side of the mouth from your chipped tooth.
You can drink as you usually would, but your tooth may feel more sensitive due to the chip. You want to avoid really hot or cold beverages. Instead, drink room temperature drinks that won’t trigger sensitivity.
Use At-Home Remedies to Ease Pain
Some chipped teeth don’t cause any pain. Some feel like a toothache and throb for hours. If you experience pain from your chipped tooth, you have a few options to clean it and help it feel better:
- Apply a cold compress to the area, holding for 20 minutes.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, which also acts as an anti-inflammatory and can reduce swelling if you have any.
- Rinse your mouth out with warm water to keep the affected area clean.
Most chipped teeth can be fixed by a dentist, who can smooth down the enamel or use bonding or a veneer. If you find the portion of the tooth that chipped off, store it in milk and bring it with you to the dentist. They may be able to reattach it.
You should always get your chipped tooth checked out by a dentist, who can treat any issues that arise from the chip and stop the problems from getting worse. Contact Dental Choice today to set up an appointment.