Did you know that dentists have been seeing an increase in cracked and chipped teeth in the past year? Due to the stress of recent events, more and more people are grinding their teeth at night. This is one of the many factors that contribute to the cracking and chipping of teeth.
Do you have a chipped tooth? Don’t let it cause you more anxiety–it’s quite common and easier to fix than ever. If you want to learn about the top five steps to take for a chipped tooth, check out the details below.
1. Rinse With Salt Water
The first thing to do when you get a chipped tooth is to gargle with a saltwater rinse. Make a glass of warm water with a dash of salt, and rinse your mouth out with it. Doing this regularly can help prevent infection.
2. Take a Pain Reliever
Is your cracked or chipped tooth causing you pain? Then you might want to consider taking a pain reliever to help reduce it. Try acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or other forms of pain relief until you can find out where to get a tooth chip fixed at a local dentist.
3. Use Dental Wax
If you have a chipped tooth that has a sharp, jagged edge that cuts into your gums or the side of your mouth, then get some dental wax from the nearest pharmacy to help cover it and protect your tongue and cheek. You can also wrap it in a piece of gum to help blunt the rough edge–just make sure it is the sugarless kind of gum.
4. Avoid Hard Foods
While you are waiting to see the dentist, avoid consuming hard or sharp foods that could worsen the situation. Try to eat soft foods or drink liquids, especially if it appears that your tooth is broken. Another important tip is to chew on the opposite side of the mouth from the chipped tooth to keep from making the crack worse.
5. Find a Cosmetic Dentist for a Chipped Tooth
If you want to find a dentist who specializes in restoring your smile, you can search for a cosmetic dentist in your area. They can help you with crowns, veneers, fillers, bonding, and other procedures to make sure that the job is done right. And not only can they correct the chipped tooth, but you can also discuss other options to improve the appearance of your teeth if you like.
Fix Your Tooth
Now that you’ve learned the steps to take when you have a chipped tooth, you can be proactive. And if you were wondering how do dentists fix chipped teeth, now you know! A professional dentist can offer you a chipped tooth fix with veneers, crowns, fillings, and other options to help get your smile back.
Did you find this article helpful? Want to learn about other useful tips? Then check out some of the other health-related topics on this site!