If you’ve chipped your tooth, you may be panicking about what to do next. Don’t worry! This is an oral health issue that can be easily remedied with a simple composite bonding treatment. Before heading to the dentist, here are a few steps you can take after you’ve chipped your tooth.
1. Rinse your mouth.
The first thing you will want to do is make a warm saltwater rinse. Simply add 1/2 of a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water. Then swish the water in your mouth to remove debris or blood. This will also help to prevent an infection from developing.
2. Manage any bleeding.
If you’ve noticed any bleeding at the site of the injury, we strongly encourage you to contact our offices right away. Blood could be indicative of further damage than you may be aware of. To manage any bleeding, apply light pressure to the tooth with a piece of gauze or a cool rag. If the bleeding persists, continue to use the warm salt water rinse mentioned above in step one.
3. Assess and manage your pain.
If you’ve chipped your tooth, it is possible you may not feel any pain at all depending on where and how the tooth has been chipped. For example, if you lightly chipped your tooth while eating crunchy foods, it may go unnoticed until you are brushing or flossing. However, if you are experiencing any pain, this could mean that there is a more significant problem. In this case, it is important to contact our offices straight away so as to prevent infection and further damage. While you wait for your appointment, you can use an over-the-counter pain medication or dental anesthetic to manage the pain. You can also apply a cold compress to your cheek in order to suppress any swelling.
4. If you can’t visit the dentist right away, consider dental cement.
We understand that chipping your tooth can occur at the most inconvenient times. Whether you’re traveling or just cannot escape from the office, it is not always easy to have your tooth fixed immediately. Therefore, you might consider temporarily covering your damaged tooth by using dental cement. It is important to note that this is only a temporary solution, and your chipped tooth should ultimately be addressed by a dental professional.
5. Call Manus Dental to schedule your visit.
Ultimately, it is important to visit the dentist to repair a chipped tooth. At Manus Dental, we can provide a composite bonding treatment to remedy the tooth in just one appointment. You’ll leave our office looking good as new!
To remedy your chipped tooth, contact Manus Dental in Hyde Park, Lake Zurich, or Yorkville today!