No one expects to suffer a chipped tooth. It’s not as if doing so is on your agenda for the day. But sometimes, as with most injuries, this can happen without warning or permission. Maybe you bit down on something hard, took a fall and were otherwise unscathed, or had an awkward impact while playing sports. 

Whatever the reason, now you're left with a jagged edge in your mouth and a bit of panic setting in. Don't worry, though - chipping a tooth is more common than you might think, and there's plenty you can do to fix it. While it might hurt, there are things you can do.

But what exactly should you do after chipping your tooth? It's not like there's a manual for these things, that we read on our path to becoming an adult. Well, don’t worry, because dentists see this every single day, and they have ways to help against it.

First, it’s important to remember that every chip is different, as some might be tiny and barely noticeable, while others might be more severe and require immediate attention. If at all in doubt, visit an emergency dentist or even an emergency room if the injury is more pronounced than you had imagined. From there, you should consider:

Take It Easy & Apply Simple Medical Care

Take a deep breath and inspect the damage if you can. Is it a small chip or a larger break? Are you in pain? If it's a minor chip and doesn't hurt, you might be able to wait a bit before seeing a dentist as the problem may be largely cosmetic, but remember that infections can spread so don’t put it off for too long.

If it's causing you pain or discomfort, it's best to seek help right away with the best dentist in your area. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. If there's any bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the affected area. You can also use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling and numb any pain. Be sure to let your dentist know if you’ve taken any painkillers ahead of time, so they don’t give you a double dose.

Seeking Professional Help

From there it’s important to work with your dentist. They might suggest bonding for small chips, which involves applying a tooth-colored resin to the damaged area and can help it look good as new. For larger chips, you might need a crown or veneer and that involves a little more work. What’s important is that no matter the size, you do get it checked out, as you can never be too sure what the extent of the problem is at home.

If You Can Change Habits, Do So

Sometimes, accidents happen. Perhaps you just bit into a tough sweet you didn’t expect to be so difficult. But if there’s a notable mistake, there are some steps you can take to protect your teet from chipping again, and learning that lesson is wise. If you play sports, a mouthguard could be handy in future. Be careful when eating hard foods like nuts or sweets as we discussed, and avoid using your teeth as tools (we've all been guilty of opening packages with our teeth at some point!). Don’t forget that frequent dental check-ups can also help catch any weaknesses in your teeth before they turn into chips or breaks, and getting more calcium can help strengthen your bones. 

With this advice, you’re sure to properly handle that chipped tooth with care.