A chipped tooth is a nuisance, plain and simple. Although it may seem like a big deal when it happens due to the way it makes your teeth appear, a chipped tooth is usually not a big issue. Chips are the most common dental injury today and can be easily fixed.
More often than not, you will need to go to a dentist to get a chip fixed (for short-term and long-term reasons), but if the chip is small enough to fix yourself, then by all means, it is worth a try. Below are some instructions on how to repair a chipped tooth at home.
1. If the chipped tooth also caused a flesh wound in your mouth, treat the wound first by using ice and ibuprofen to reduce any swelling. If any nerves are exposed, it is imperative that these are covered up. You can use temporary dental cement, which temporarily covers up the exposed nerves so that you can eat normally. However, if a nerve has been exposed, you will have to see a dentist soon.
2. If the chip is small enough and by the corner of your mouth, then the problem is mostly cosmetic. To improve the aesthetics of the tooth as well as your safety, consider using an emery board to file the chip down to your liking. This reduces the jaggedness of the tooth, which helps prevent against further damage and your tooth from scratching parts of your mouth.
3. If the chip is still visible, more filing will need to be done. You can try filing down the whole bottom of the tooth to keep it flat, but be careful not to file too much.
Following these tips allows you to take care of small chips, but going to a dentist is still highly recommended. A dentist is capable of many alternative treatments that you wouldn’t be able to do on your own such as dental filling, bonding, or inserting a dental crown. These are more permanent solutions and well worth the money you spend. If you’re searching for a dentist, consider using TalkLocal, a FREE service that will connect you with top-quality, reputable dentists in your area. All you need to do is enter your specific need, location, and availability, and TalkLocal will contact dentists, who will then call YOU directly, ready to help – all within minutes. Save yourself from the time and stress from trying to find the right dentist on your own, and let TalkLocal do it for you!
