Chip a Tooth? Relax! It Can Be Repaired

It’s happened to everyone at one time or another. You’re chewing something crunchy and you hear a crack or feel something splinter. Or maybe you got hit in the mouth at soccer practice. It’s a sickening feeling — but not the end of the world. In fact, you might not even feel any pain. Often, chipping a tooth or a filling is more of a bother than it is an “emergency.” Regardless, it’s important to call us right away. We’ll get you in for emergency dental care as soon as possible. We can repair it and restore your tooth to its former glory.

We can discuss restoration options after you’ve come to our Cincinnati-area office and we’ve made a full diagnosis. Most of the time, we can fix the issue with a bit of dental bonding and have you on your way.

In the meantime, try rinsing with salt water and take over the counter pain medication such as Tylenol to relieve any discomfort.

Did You Save the Chipped Piece?

If at all possible, save the part of the chipped tooth. It is possible the chip can successfully be reattached. But it’s important to act fast.

Preserve the tooth in milk or a saltwater solution so it doesn’t dry out. If there is no immediate milk or salt water available, soaking the tooth in saliva will work in a pinch. Bring the tooth and yourself in to our dentist office as soon as possible.

If you are not able to save the chipped or broken section of tooth, don’t worry. We have a variety of treatment options available.

Fillings in Back, Bonding in Front

If only a small part of the tooth is chipped, your dentist may choose to repair it with a filling if it’s not visible. Cosmetic dentists usually use a silver derivative for fillings, but you can opt for dental bonding if you want a tooth-colored solution. If the tooth is obviously visible when you smile, your dentist will definitely choose to repair the chipped tooth with dental bonding, which uses tooth-colored resin to replace the area where the tooth chipped off.

Tooth Veneers for Moderate Chips

Dental veneers are thin, custom shaped shells of porcelain your dentist can apply to a chipped or misshapen tooth. It’s a custom fitting designed to hide or correct damage to the tooth. A dental veneer is different from an implant crown in that it only covers the front of the tooth — not the whole tooth. It’s primarily a cosmetic dental procedure for heavily stained or permanently discolored teeth. It can also help reinforce a tooth damaged with micro cracks.

Crowns for Repairing Severely Chipped Teeth

If a large enough piece of the tooth has broken off, you may need a crown. This usually involves grinding or filling away the remaining tooth and covering it with a permanent cap. In some cases, extra filling may be required to hold up the cap.

Are You in Pain after Chipping Your Tooth?

If you are experiencing pain, call us at our Cincinnati dental office as soon as possible. We’ll schedule an emergency appointment. Active, shooting pain from the site of the chip probably means the tooth’s nerve has been affected. This can be both painful and dangerous. It’s not a reason to go to the ER, but it is a reason to call your family dentist for an emergency appointment.

Until then, you can take over-the-counter pain medication such as Ibuprofen or Advil. Once we see you, we can prescribe you something stronger such as extra strength Ibuprofen, if necessary. You could also try a cold compress. This will cause the blood vessels in the afflicted area to restrict, which can reduce the pain.

Herbs you probably have in your kitchen counter can help with toothaches holistically. Peppermint is a natural pain reliever. Take a warm or cold used peppermint tea bag and hold it against the affected area. Make tea and cool the used bag down in the freezer or fridge until it’s the appropriate temperature. Drinking the tea can be soothing as well.

Clove is also a historical remedy for tooth pain. It contains eugenol, a natural antiseptic. The oil is very effective at numbing pain and reducing inflammation. Dab a small amount of clove oil onto a cotton ball and apply to the affected area. It may be necessary to dilute the clove oil with olive oil or water. You can also add a drop of clove oil to water and rinse with it like a mouthwash. Apply the mixture several times a day for the most effective relief.

Do You Need an Emergency Dentist Close to Cincinnati?

If you have a dental emergency and need to see a dentist, give us a call. We are currently accepting new patients!

Beckham Square Family Dental offers gentle comprehensive family dentistry to the Cincinnati and Sharonville areas. We use the very latest innovations and technology in dentistry to ensure you are getting the highest quality dental care that is as comfortable as possible.

We strive to do everything we can to help our patients feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. At Beckham Square Family Dental, we care for our patients like family. We’re great with kids, even toddlers and babies. Our waiting room and facilities are designed to feel comfortable and cozy, not clinical and cold.

Give us a call today or fill out our online contact form. Even if you’ve never been here before, we’ll try to get you seen as quickly as possible. We leave our calendar somewhat flexible for emergency dental appointments, because you can’t predict accidents. We can even offer advice over the phone about what you can do immediately to feel better, including over the counter and homeopathic remedies you can find at your local grocery store. We look forward to meeting you.