Whether you bite down on something hard or chewy or you get hit in the mouth, you can chip a tooth in a number of ways. You might be frightened about the broken tooth, but you want to remain calm until you have a plan in place to get the tooth fixed or pulled. Most of the time, you can contact your dentist to get into the office the same day or the next day if you explain what happened and especially if you are in pain. Here are a few steps that you can take until you see a dentist so that your tooth has a better chance of being preserved.

Contact the Dentist

As soon as you realize that your tooth is broken, you need to contact a dentist, like those at Beck Pearce Dental, immediately. Explain what happened and how the tooth chipped. This information is important because it can help the dentist determine the best way to repair the tooth. When you get to the office, the dentist will usually take an X-ray and either repair the tooth then or prescribe an antibiotic or pain medication if you need them until you can get back to the office. Sometimes, dental veneers are an option if most of the tooth is gone.

Take Something for Pain

Depending on where the tooth is chipped, it could cause severe pain. Take the steps necessary to relieve the pain you feel so that you can function during the day. A warm compress on the mouth can often help with tooth pain. You can take a pain reliever that you get over the counter, but avoid taking more than the recommended dose because it can damage your liver.

Avoid Eating on That Side of the Mouth

If possible, don’t eat anything on the side of the mouth with the chipped tooth. This will help prevent further breaking. You should also avoid chewing any kind of gum or candy on that side of the mouth as well. Keep the entire mouth clean, but you need to pay special attention to the area of the mouth where the tooth is chipped. Gargle with salt water to keep the area clean.

Prevent Further Chips

It’s important to keep your teeth healthy and to keep them from chipping. If you play sports, wear a mouth guard. Brush your teeth regularly, and visit your dentist at least twice a year for checkups to determine if there are issues with your teeth that could result in other chips and cracks in the future.

You only have one set of permanent teeth, so you need to do everything you can to keep them whole. However, things do happen that cause teeth to chip. The size of the break and where it’s located on the tooth will play a part in how the tooth is repaired. After the tooth is repaired, take the precautions needed to save the other ones in the mouth.