If you’ve just chipped a tooth, you might be tempted to avoid seeing your dentist right away. Scrapes, cuts, and bruises all heal eventually, so your chipped tooth will get better on its own too, right? Wrong! Unfortunately, chipped teeth do not heal on their own and may actually require care from a dental professional. Keep reading to learn what to do if you chip a tooth and when you should see an emergency dentist in Frederick for treatment.
What Causes Chipped Teeth?
A tooth can become chipped when you least expect it. Common causes of chipped teeth include:
- A trip or fall
- Contact sports
- Physical exercise
- Teeth grinding
- Auto accident
The severity of the symptoms of a chipped tooth depends on the cause. In addition to a notable change in how the tooth looks, symptoms of a chipped tooth often include minor to moderate discomfort, swelling, and sensitivity. If you experience severe pain from a chipped tooth in Frederick, then seek out an emergency dentist right away.
What Should You Do After Chipping a Tooth?
If an accident happens and a chipped tooth occurs, you should quickly assess the severity of the chip and rinse your mouth to prevent infection. If the chip is minor, then you can take over-the-counter pain relief medication and avoid sugar until you can schedule a regular dental appointment. If the chip is severe and/or causing intolerable pain, contact an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
Treatment Options for a Chipped Tooth
As mentioned above, a chipped tooth will not heal on its own. Depending on the severity of your chipped tooth, your dentist may recommend a range of treatment options. For small chips, your dentist may be able to restore your tooth with:
- Dental bonding – Bonding treatment involves applying a tooth-colored composite resin to re-form your chipped tooth.
- Veneer – Small but durable ceramic sheaths are attached to the front surfaces of teeth to conceal chips and other dental flaws.
- Dental crown – Fixed restorations that cover or “cap” damaged, misshapen, or infected teeth to protect them from further damage and restore their original shape, size, and function.
For more severe cases, root canal therapy followed by a dental crown may be necessary. Although rare, in some instances of severe chips that cannot be properly treated, your dentist may recommend extracting the tooth and replacing it.
How to Recover After Chipped Tooth Treatment
Your dentist will provide you with personalized aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. This may include dietary restrictions, wearing a nightguard or mouthguard to prevent further damage, oral hygiene tips, and follow-up visits.
If you have a chipped tooth, don’t just cross your fingers and hope that it will get better on its own. Contact your dentist today to arrange professional treatment.
About the Author
Dr. Andrew Aziz provides skilled dentistry in a comfortable and relaxing environment at My Frederick Dentist. The proud University of Maryland School of Dentistry graduate regularly places veneers and dental crowns to restore compromised teeth. To learn more about how to handle a chipped tooth in Frederick, visit the My Frederick Dentist website or call 301-698-9552.