ExecutiveChronicles.com | What Do You Do When You Have a Chipped Tooth? | Did you know that 80% of people over the age of 40 have at least one cracked tooth? Sometimes, a cracked tooth doesn’t have any symptoms, so the person has no idea they have it. Other times, the tooth is visibly broken and painful.
A chipped tooth can happen out of nowhere. One minute you are chewing on something hard, and then the next minute, you have a broken tooth.
What should you do if you break your tooth? Keep reading to learn more about how to deal with a chipped tooth so that you can maintain a perfect smile.
Stop the Bleeding
If you break your tooth, the first thing you need to do is stop the bleeding. Go into the bathroom and rinse your mouth with warm water. This will help get rid of the blood and clean out your mouth.
Once you have done that, you should apply pressure on the tooth to help stop the bleeding. You also can place an ice pack on the outside of your mouth to help reduce swelling and pain.
Wrap up the Tooth
After you put pressure on your tooth to stop the bleeding, you should try to find the piece of your tooth that broke off. If it is only a small break, it is possible that you swallowed the piece of tooth.
If you can find the piece of the broken tooth, wrap it in wet gauze. You will want to bring the broken tooth to the dentist with you. If your entire tooth came out, you could do the same thing.
Call Your Dentist
The next step to handling a broken tooth is to call your dentist. A broken tooth is a dental emergency that needs taken care of right away.
If your dentist has emergency services, they will try to see you immediately. If not, you may have to wait until the next day.
Some of the most common methods of tooth repair include dental fillings, dental caps, dental veneers, root canals, or oral surgery. If you don’t have a dentist to call, you can go here for family dentistry.
Manage the Pain
Unfortunately, a chipped tooth can be painful. If you are experiencing pain from your chipped tooth, apply a cold compress to help reduce the pain and swelling. You also can take over-the-counter pain medication.
Protect Your Mouth
If your dentist can’t see you right away, you must protect your broken tooth while waiting. You should avoid eating on that side and flossing.
If the broken tooth is sharp, try placing dental wax over the broken tooth so that you don’t cut the inside of your mouth.
Now You Know How to Deal With a Chipped Tooth
A chipped tooth can be a scary experience, and it can happen when you least expect it. If you have a chipped tooth, stop the bleeding, wrap up the tooth, call your dentist, manage the pain, and protect your mouth.
Did you enjoy reading this article on how to fix a tooth? If so, check out our other articles in the wellness category for more health advice.
