Our teeth are arguably a very important part of our mouth, as they are responsible for breaking down different kinds of foods so that they can travel better in the digestive system without causing blockages. In addition to being essential for the digestive system, our teeth would also help us have better smiles.
So, getting a chipped tooth, especially on one of the front teeth, can be quite unfortunate for a lot of people. What’s bad about a chipped tooth is that it can get worse, as the chip can grow bigger and may force you to get rid of the chipped tooth once it is already too worn out. Fortunately, there are different ways for you to treat the chip before it gets worse. To know more, here are the most effective treatment options for a chipped tooth.
Take an Over-the-Counter Pain Reliever
Once you get a chipped tooth, you will slowly feel the pain in that damaged area, and this pain can sometimes get severe if you just let your chipped tooth be without any treatments or medications. In order to reduce the pain, you will need to take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen. By taking a pain reliever, you won’t feel too much pain for a few hours or days before you can get actual treatment for your chipped tooth.
Rinse with Saltwater
To prevent or reduce the risk of infection in the chipped tooth, you will need to rinse your mouth with saltwater. Making saltwater is very easy, as all you have to do is to mix a teaspoon of salt with a glass of water. Besides fighting infections, saltwater is also very effective in speeding up the healing process of the chipped tooth after treatment or surgery. In addition, saltwater reduces inflammation and swelling that can sometimes carry over to the other teeth.
Eat Softer Foods to Prevent the Chip from Worsening
In order not to make the chip worse and get more painful, you should only eat soft foods and try other foods that would force you to chew. Some of the soft foods you can eat include porridge, oatmeal, bananas, fish, and rice. While you are eating these soft foods, make sure that you are not biting down too hard with your teeth, as the biting motion may damage the chipped tooth further.
Use Dentemp to Protect the Chipped Tooth
Dentemp is a temporary filling that protects your chipped tooth from further damage or infections. This product is primarily used to temporarily repair loose caps and lost fillings on the teeth before going to a dentist, but it can also be utilized as a cover or protection for a chipped tooth. To apply the Dentemp, you would have to use the included applicator to get a small amount of Dentemp. Then, form the Dentemp into a ball using your fingers and then apply it to the chipped tooth. Press the Dentemp for a few minutes to ensure that it will stick to the chipped tooth.
Get a Dental Bonding or Filling
The only way for you to actually repair the chipped tooth is to get a dental bonding or filling, which will put fillers on top of the chip so that the tooth looks normal again. Dental bonding or filling can only be performed by a dentist, so you will need to make an appointment and be available by the scheduled date. While the appointment is still a few days away, it is essential that you do your best to prevent the chip from worsening by performing the other methods we have mentioned above.
Dental bonding is done by etching the surfaces of the damaged tooth and then applying an adhesive substance on the top of the chip. Then, a resin material is added on top of the chipped tooth, and before the resin hardens, the dentist will shape the resin to match the missing piece of your tooth. While dental bonding is a relatively fast and easy procedure, it can be quite expensive in some areas or countries, so prepare a budget if you want to fix a chipped tooth.
Get a Dental Cap or Crown
Another procedure that a dentist can do with your chipped tooth is putting on a dental cap or crown, which is a tooth-shaped cap that is designed to protect more areas of the tooth and make it stronger and more resistant to tooth decay. If your tooth has chipped due to tooth decay, then the dentist would first have to file the tooth down so that only the healthy areas of the tooth remain.
Next, the dentist would make an impression of the tooth using a non-toxic putty material. The impression would then be used to copy the shape of the tooth so that the dental fit perfectly. Once the dental crown is created, the dentist would put the dental crown on top of the chipped tooth and gently push it down to cover almost all areas of the tooth. The dental crown can be made from different materials, which include metal, resin, and ceramic.
These are just some of the best ways that you can treat a chipped tooth. You can treat a chipped tooth using the first few methods we have mentioned above, but it would always be best to visit a dentist so that you will have a much better idea of the best treatment for your tooth.