Whether it’s due to a sport injury, a nasty fall or biting into a piece of hard candy, your chipped tooth is a dental emergency that requires prompt care. River City Dental Clinic in Fort McMurray provides same-day service for walk-in patients who’ve damaged one or more teeth. Our dental centre consists of a team of four dentistsdentists to best serve you and your emergency dental needs. But what do you do if you can’t get a hold of us immediately? Here are a few actions you should take if you chip your tooth.
Save the chip If the chip gets lost or swallowed, it’s not the end of the world. Fixing the tooth is still possible. However, if it’s feasible to save the chip, you should do so as oftentimes your dentist can use it to facilitate a repair. Simply wrap it in a piece of moistened gauze and place it in a sealable plastic bag.
Rinse your mouth with salt water Mix a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and rinse out your mouth to keep it clean. Repeat this procedure after eating.
Cover up with dental cement If the damaged tooth is very sharp or jagged, you can use a bit of dental cement to cover it up and prevent cuts. If your local pharmacy doesn’t carry this product, a bit of sugarless chewing gum can be used to similar effect.
Medicate for pain Not every chipped tooth is sore but if yours happens to be causing you discomfort or pain, you should take an over-the-counter medication to get relief. Tylenol or Advil are good choices.
Eat soft foods To prevent further damage to the tooth and avoid any soreness, it’s best to eat soft or even liquid foods until your dentist can make the repair.
Restoration of Your Tooth How your dentist fixes the tooth depends on the severity of the injury. If the chip is relatively minor, the preferred method is to use dental bonding to fill and seal the tooth. More severe chips could require a crown or even a root canal if the pulp has been affected. Prevention While accidents do happen, many tooth injuries can be prevented by doing the following:
Use a custom-made mouth guard while playing sports
Avoid chewing ice or hard candy
Get regular dental checkups to ensure your teeth are strong and healthy
Dentists You Can Count On For dental emergencies and checkups, contact us to make an appointment with a caring dentist here at River City Dental Clinic in Fort McMurray. We look forward to helping you keep your teeth at their best.