5 Things You Must Know When You Have a Chipped Tooth

If you have a chipped tooth, there is no need to panic. Sure, it might come as a bit of a surprise or shock when you chip a tooth, but it is not the end of the world. It is something that dentists regularly deal with, and there are many things your oral professional can do to restore your smile.

The next time you end up with a chipped tooth, there's no need to go rushing to the emergency dentist in the middle of the night.

Here are five things you should know when you have a chipped tooth:

1. Figure out if your injury qualifies as an emergency

One of the first things you want to figure out when you chip a tooth is if it qualifies as an emergency. Chips on the outer layer of your tooth like the enamel and dentin are not considered to be emergency situations. There is typically no pain associated with damage to these areas of your tooth, so just schedule the next available appointment with your dentist instead of paying extra for an emergency visit.

As a general rule, the level of pain felt is also a good way to figure out if your injury requires immediate treatment. If there is sharp pain associated with your chipped tooth, that's a sign that the pulp chamber has been compromised, leaving the pulp and nerves in it exposed to saliva, air, and food particles. Increased sensitivity is another sign that you might need to see your dentist immediately. If hot or cold foods and beverages cause you pain, the pulp and nerves of the tooth are likely exposed.

You should also visit your oral professional straightaway if you see blood-forming within the tooth. If you are not sure if your injury is an emergency or not, play it safe and see a dentist promptly.

2. Set clear goals before you talk to your dentist

You should start thinking about your plans for your chipped tooth before you even step into the dentist's office. Are you only concerned about repairing the tooth or do you want it restored with cosmetic dentistry as well? Do you have any other teeth that need to be restored while you're there?

Come up with an answer to all these questions before you visit your dentist. That will make it easier for your dentist to recommend a course of treatment.

3. Set a budget

It is always best to get every procedure you want at once, but if your budget is tight, consider getting the basic treatment to restore the tooth. Figure out how much time you have to spend at the dentist's clinic and how much you want to spend.

4. Learn how to prevent future chips

If you chip your teeth often, your dentist bills are going to eventually start adding up. If this is the case with you, talk to your dentist about things you can do to make your teeth less susceptible to chipping.

5. Save any pieces of the tooth you find

Your dentist can use dental cement to reattach bits of teeth that have chipped off. This is usually a lot cheaper than any of the other options to restore your teeth.

Contact a dentist to learn more about what you should do after chipping a tooth.

Please call Dr. Call Dental Center today at (706) 425-6240 or go to https://drcalldental.com for more information!