Do You Need to Go to the Dentists for a Small Chipped Tooth?
You chipped a tooth, but it’s only a small injury so you don’t need to go to the dentist right? Wrong. Here’s why your chipped tooth won’t heal itself.
A chipped tooth is one of the most common dental problems that people face.
But if the chip is small, some of us might think that it’s not worth worrying about, and certainly no reason for a visit to the dentist.
Can a chipped tooth heal itself? Or is it something that really does require professional attention?
Read on as we look at when you need to visit the dentist following a chipped tooth.
How Do I Know If I Have a Chipped Tooth?
You’re happily eating when you feel a bit of a crunch between your teeth. You fish around and pull something small, hard, and white from your mouth. But is it a bit of tooth, or something that was in your food?
If you have any of the following symptoms, it’s likely to be a chipped tooth:
- Short, sharp pain when biting
- Pain when eating or drinking
- Pain in your tooth that comes and goes
- A rough edge to your tooth
- Pain when eating hot or cold foods
If you’re in any doubt, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and assume that it probably is a chip.
Do I Need to Go to the Dentist?
Once you suspect it may be a chip, you’ll need to decide if you’re going to need to see a dentist.
And the answer is always the same: yes! For a start, if you don’t get a chipped tooth seen to right away, it can quickly worsen leaving you with a much bigger problem than you started with.
You also run the risk of your tooth becoming infected, which could lead to you losing the whole tooth. That will leave you with a gap in your smile, or the need for dental implants.
Don’t take any chances; see a dentist as soon as you can.
What Can I Do in the Meantime?
Before you’re seen by your dentist, there are a few things you can do to help.
Rinse your mouth out with salt water to try to reduce the chance of infection. Make sure to swill it around the affected area. Try covering the rough edge with a piece of sugar-free chewing gum to protect your cheeks and tongue.
Avoid food and drink that is either very hot or very cold as this can cause severe pain. You made need to take some pain killers too if it’s becoming too painful. You could also use a cold compress against your cheek to try to reduce any painful swelling.
Finally, make sure you only eat soft foods until you get it seen to.
Looking for More Great Health Advice?
Now that you know what to do about your chipped tooth, you may be looking for more health advice. We’re here to help.
We have a whole range of articles on all aspects of health, covering everything from pain relief to health insurance. We also have a ton of great content on a wide range of other topics, including romance, self-improvement, family, and more.
Feel free to take a good look around.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.
