We Can Fix a Chipped Tooth! Flexible Hours, Same Day Appointments Possible
So you’ve chipped a tooth. It’s not the end of the world, but it certainly isn’t any fun either. Relax. At our family dentist office, we can fix a chipped tooth. Schedule an appointment to come in and see us. Often, same day appointments can be arranged for dental emergencies. And yes, we can be your family’s emergency dentist, even if we’ve never seen you before.
The first step is to have a dentist examine the tooth to make sure the damage is no worse than a chip. Whenever you chip or break a tooth, you should seek a dentist near you as soon as possible so the damage doesn’t get any worse. You need an emergency dentist — someone who can see you immediately.
Minor to Moderate Chipped Tooth Repair
Most chipped teeth can be repaired using a filling or bonding. A practice like ours, that understands cosmetic dentistry isn’t always just cosmetic, will know which solution best fits your needs based off how much damage has been done to the tooth. Fillings are most often used for back teeth, like molars. Can you see the tooth when you smile? Then the dentist will probably use a process called dental bonding.
In dental bonding, the dentist applies a bonding resin to the chipped part of the tooth and shape it to look just like a tooth. They’ll make sure the color of the bonding matches the natural tooth perfectly. The bond is then hardened using ultraviolet light and voila! – your tooth is repaired. It’s a fairly simple and noninvasive procedure that usually does not require numbing. While bonding isn’t as strong as porcelain solutions like tooth veneers, dental bonding provides a long-term, low-maintenance, quick way to repair your tooth.
What if Your Tooth is Too Broken for Dental Bonding?
If a large enough part of the tooth has broken off, or the tooth has a lot of decay, you may require a cap or a crown to protect the tooth and preserve the beauty of your smile. Occasionally, a cosmetic dentist will choose to perform a broken tooth extraction and replace the tooth with a dental implant. Worst case scenario in the case of a chipped or broken tooth, is if the break goes into the gum line and has affected the nerve of the tooth. In this case, you’ll need a root canal.
Seeking immediate dental care from an emergency dentist is always important when you’ve chipped a tooth. Any time you’ve got inner tooth (what’s inside the enamel) exposed to elements like food, air and the bacteria in your mouth, there is a danger of more damage happening. Thankfully, our practice is always on call for emergencies, because accidents don’t typically tend to follow a 9 to 5 schedule.
In Pain? How to Find Relief Until You See Your Family Dentist
If you are experiencing pain before your family dentist can get you in for an emergency dental appointment, there are several at-home remedies you can try for relief. In fact, you probably have some of these on your spice rack. While OTC painkillers and anti-inflammatories are always an option, there are actually several natural ways to quell the pain and fight bacteria without ibuprofen or naproxen. So while you’re waiting the hour or two it may take for one of our dentists to prep for your emergency dental care, try one of these methods to make the wait more tolerable:
- Salt water rinses: Use a mix of salt and lukewarm water as a mouthwash. Simple iodized table salt is best because it dissolves easily. The tepid temperature of the water will soothe the toothache, and salt has natural antibacterial properties.
- Hydrogen peroxide rinse: This is a similar solution to a salt water rinse. Just remember never to swallow.
- Garlic: Believe it or not, garlic has been used as a natural remedy for several face and mouth-related issues for centuries. Garlic has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that make it great for ailments like toothaches and ear infections. You can use garlic extract or even smash a clove and place it on the affected area.
- Vanilla extract: Like garlic, most of us have vanilla on-hand at home. Vanilla is an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, so almost has numbing properties. Soak a cotton ball in vanilla and dab around the painful area of the cracked tooth.
- Peppermint tea: Soak a teabag in warm water and place it on the affected area. Peppermint has antibacterial properties, and its cooling effect should lessen your toothache.
- Numbing the pain with ice can also be quite effective. Apply an ice pack to the side of the face that hurts from the broken filling or cracked tooth. But if you have an exposed nerve, the extreme cold may actually make it hurt more, so go easy.
Emergency Family Dental Care in Cincinnati, Sharonville and the Surrounding Areas
Any way you slice it, it is important to find a dentist who can fix a chipped tooth immediately. Any delays could result in additional dental problems. At Beckham Square Family Dental, we understand that accidents happen. Emergencies are always unpleasant, and not being able to seek immediate dental care would only make the situation worse. Call us today, whether it’s for an emergency or to schedule an appointment. We are the top dentist practice in Cincinnati, offering quality and comfortable emergency dental care to the communities of Blue Ash, Sharonville, Evendale, Springdale and the surrounding areas!