A chipped tooth can ruin your day and put you in a foul mood. But if you don’t treat it right, it could destroy your precious pearly whites.
Most people know they have a chipped tooth and are unsure of how to manage it. There are different ways to address a chipped tooth which are crucial to know.
Keep reading to learn the proper steps to take if you chip your tooth.
Rinse Your Mouth With Warm Water
If you chip your tooth, the first thing you should do is rinse your mouth with warm water. This will help to clean the area and remove any debris that may be present.
Make sure the water you use is just warm enough also. This is so that you don’t also end up burning or irritating your mouth as well.
Disinfect Your Mouth
After rinsing your mouth, you should next disinfect it. This can be done by using mouthwash and gargling it for at least a good 30 to 60 seconds.
You should also brush your teeth very gently after gargling the mouthwash. It is also a good idea to avoid eating hard or sticky foods until your tooth has healed.
Flossing Regularly
If you can’t get to the dentist right away, you can use dental floss to help temporarily keep the area clean. To use dental floss, wrap the floss around your index finger and slide it up and down the tooth.
Be careful not to put too much pressure on the tooth. You can also try using a toothpick to help clean the area around the tooth.
Apply a Cold Compress to Reduce Swelling
Once you’ve cleaned out your mouth to avoid any possible infections, it’s important to reduce the swelling as much as possible. This is to help you avoid any further discomfort because of your chipped tooth.
Applying a cold compress to the area can help with this. Apply the compress for 15-20 minutes at a time, making sure not to leave it on too long also.
Avoid Eating or Drinking
If you chipped your tooth, make sure you avoid eating any food or drinking any liquids if you haven’t seen a dentist yet. This is to avoid any possible worsening of the pain you currently have.
Try to resist the temptation of eating or drinking first while you haven’t seen a dentist when you chip your tooth.
Pain Medication
If you are in pain, you may be tempted to take pain medication, but this is not always the best idea. Pain medication can mask the pain, but it can also make it more difficult to see a dentist.
If you are in a lot of pain, you can take different kinds of over-the-counter pain relievers to help ease the nagging or bothersome pain in the meantime.
See a Dentist Right Away
In a case of a chipped tooth, it is always best to see a dentist right away. Dentists are professionals that should know the solutions to this.
They will be able to give you the best help like a procedure being done or some clip on veneers.
The Solutions if You Chip Your Tooth
If you chip your tooth, it is important to follow all of these steps. This is not a big issue or problem, but it can be if you don’t take the proper precautions with your tooth.
So always take these necessary steps if ever this happens, but it is always important to make that trip to the dentist’s office right away.
Found this article helpful? Awesome! Then, check out the rest of our blog to read more articles on fitness tips, hairstyle ideas, beauty implants, and much more.
