What do you do when you bite into something and hear an unpleasant crack? What do you do if you chip your tooth? Your enamel—the outermost layer of your teeth—is the hardest tissue in the body, it is also fairly brittle. This can lead to cracked teeth, which can lead to infections and similar complications. If you crack or chip a tooth, we recommend calling your dentist immediately, but here are a few things you can do in the meantime.
If your chipped tooth is jagged, we recommend covering it with wax paraffin or chewing gum. Doing so can prevent your tongues, lips, and even cheeks from being cut by your tooth. Also, if your tooth hurts, you may want to consider taking over-the-counter pain medications. Rinsing your mouth with salt water may also help. Finally, we recommend chewing on soft foods.
For a minor chip, we recommend seeing your dentist soon. They can usually repair the chip in one visit. They may recommend this repair to restore the function and comfort of your smile, or simply prevent the tooth from becoming more damaged.
If you are interested in learning more about what you can do for a damaged tooth, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are excited to hear from you!