You may have heard it once or twice that your teeth are one of the strongest parts of your body, and while that’s true, it’s not indestructible. Even enamel has its limits. Whether through an accident or natural wear and tear, your teeth can become chipped, causing you significant pain and the desire to hide your smile.
Symptoms of a Chipped Tooth
Minor chips may not be noticeable at all, but for more major cases, symptoms may include:
- Jagged surface of the affected tooth
- Gum irritation
- Pain when biting down
How to Treat a Chipped Tooth
Generally, a chipped tooth is no cause for alarm unless of course it’s causing you severe pain and disrupting your daily activities. Whatever the case may be, scheduling an appointment with your dentist to address the chipped tooth is always a good idea.
While most minor cases can be solved with a simple smoothing down of the tooth, more severe cases may require extra work.
Tooth reattachment
If by some miracle that you still have the fragment that broke off, place it in a glass of milk and take it to your dentist immediately. The calcium within the milk will keep the tooth moist and alive, giving the dentist enough time to cement the fragment back on to your broken tooth.
Bonding
The same process that is used to bring your teeth together as outlined in an earlier blog of ours can be used here as well. The composite resin is applied in layers to the affected area, then hardened, shaped, and smoothed for a natural finish.
How Much Will it Cost?
Costs will vary depending on the country that you live in, the procedure you get, and how severe your case is. In most cases, the minimum will be upwards of $100, to a maximum of about $2000. Talk with your dentist for an exact quote, and ask if they have financing options if you’re a little strapped for cash.
At Home First Aid
Most of the time, your dentist is completely booked and won’t have time to see you right away. In this case, you may have to look after your tooth on your own for a little while until you’re able to see them. To combat discomfort and pain, here are a few things that you can do at home.
- Wrap a small piece of sugar free gum around your tooth for a smooth edge.
- Take an anti-inflammatory painkiller such as Advil
- If possible, avoid chewing on the side where the chipped tooth is located. If the chipped tooth is at the front, consider eating foods that don’t require you to bite off a piece, or stick to soft foods like cheese.
Conclusion
A chipped tooth is probably one of the most common dental injuries and happens a lot more than you may think. No matter the severity, contact your dentist for an appointment so that the chipped tooth does not worsen. Call the dental emergency hotline in your area if the injury happens outside of business hours.
