Oh my gosh! You just chipped a tooth! That’s it. The world is ending. The apocalypse is now.
Slow down, friend! Take a moment to breathe. Yes, coming away from a rough face-plant with only half a tooth is an alarming experience. But your tooth can be fixed. You might even be able to salvage the other half! When you’re ready, just keep reading. We’ve got five simple steps that will help you out.
Step 1: Immediate Dental First-Aid
It’s possible your chipped dental fragment is still in your mouth, so the first thing you need to do is rinse your mouth with warm water. If you’re using a sink, close the drain so that your fragment isn’t lost to the plumbing system. Gently swish and spit – is there blood? If so, you might want another rinse. Try to find the source of your bleeding and staunch it with a paper towel or other soft material.
Step 2: Call Your Emergency Dentist
Now that you’re not at risk of swallowing or biting down on your broken fragment, you should contact your emergency dentist. Obviously, part of this call is making appointment arrangements, but your emergency dentist can also walk you through more first-aid. They’ll let you know which pain relievers you can take and help you care for any cuts or bruises. As such, try to be as detailed as possible when explaining your situation. Help them help you!
Step 3: Facing Your Fragment
Now it’s time to look your world-ending fragment in the eye. If you can find it, that is. Since it’s not connected to your dental root, it’s safe to store it in a Ziplock bag, Tupperware container, or other bin. Though you might be interested in washing off any blood or debris. It could possibly be going back in your mouth, after all. Just remember to keep the drain closed.
Step 4: Be Careful of What You Eat
Dental emergencies can work up an appetite. However, regardless of whether your restoration appointment is today or in the near future, it’s better to stick to softer snacks. Tough foods could cause further damage, especially if you chipped a front tooth. You might find that biting down on half a pearly white is kind of uncomfortable anyway.
Step 5: Do What Your Dentist Says
It’s always important to listen to your dentist’s instructions. After chipping a tooth, it’s even more important! Make sure you follow their first-aid advice, and attend appointments as directed. After they restore your tooth by reattaching the fragment or applying a different treatment, don’t tune out for the recovery procedure. You’ll need to know how to maintain your new restoration to ensure its success and longevity. When you return home, then you can finally take a well-deserved nap.
About the Practice
Our team at Rausch Family Dentistry prioritizes patient care. We know chipping a tooth can be a harrowing experience, so we’ll work to help you feel as comfortable as possible during your visit. Thanks to our team’s experience, you can be confident in the quality of your dental emergency treatment and follow up restoration. To contact our office, call 770-931-3388.
