It can really hurt to chip, crack, or break a tooth. Teeth can be damaged in any number of ways, and the damage can be slight or extensive depending on the condition of your teeth and the type of injury.
Unless the damage is a minor chip, there’s no permanent way to fix it without seeing a dentist. The best thing you can do in the meantime is to address the pain and protect your tooth and the inside of your mouth to avoid further injury.
Common Causes of Chipped Tooth
Following to be among common causes of chipped teeth:
- Hitting your mouth when falling.
- Teeth weakened by cavities.
- Biting into hard objects (nuts, hard candy, bone).
- Trauma incurred from an accident.
- Sports injuries.
Other potential causes include:
- Poor nutrition.
- Grinding or clenching your teeth (bruxism).
This means while they are bothersome, they are dental problems that our cosmetic dentists at Anacapa Dental Art Institute have a depth of experience in performing.
What to do if You Chip or Break a Tooth
While doctors don’t advise home fixes for broken teeth, there are some things you can do to protect your tooth and mouth.
What to do after you break a tooth
If you break or chip a tooth, you should rinse your mouth with warm water right away to clean it, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). Apply pressure to stop any bleeding, and place a cold compress on the area to reduce swelling.
If you can find the piece of broken tooth, wrap it in wet gauze and bring it with you to the dentist.
What to do if you lose a tooth
If the tooth has popped out of your mouth, use a gauze pad to grasp it by the crown and place it back into the socket if possible.
If the tooth looks dirty, you can rinse it off with water. Don’t scrub it or clean it with any other solution, and don’t clean off any bits of tissue.
If you can’t get it into the socket, you can place it in a glass of milk, saline solution, or water. Try to get to the dentist within 30 minutes.
Options for Fixing Your Chipped Tooth
You have a range of options for fixing your chipped tooth. Dr. Saj Jivraj can determine which one will work best. These are some of the options and a brief overview of what they involve.
#1 Dental Bonding
Your dentist can fill the area that was chipped with a special resin colored like natural teeth. When this is complete, the formerly-chipped tooth will look no different than the rest of the teeth.
#2 Tooth Reshaping
In this method, a minor amount of the enamel of the tooth that was chipped will be removed, and the surface of the tooth will be smoothed, eliminating any sign that the damage ever happened. This technique is used for minor chips and isn’t a good solution to treat significant damage.
#3 Veneers
Dental veneers are thin, strong shells that can be bonded with the front of a tooth, covering the damaged area, improving the appearance and restoring the strength of the tooth. They also add an extra layer of protection to the tooth that was chipped.
#4 Dental Crowns
Crowns will address the chip by covering the visible part of your tooth. These crowns are made to feel and look like normal teeth. It is basically a cap made to resemble a tooth which protects the tooth from further damage.
Schedule Your Own Private Consultation with Dr. J
Anacapa Dental Art Institute is proud of their dedicated service to Ventura County. Lead by world-renowned top cosmetic prosthodontist Dr. Jivraj and his expert staff, Anacapa has the expertise and facility to handle whatever your cosmetic dental situation may be. Whether it’s a tooth whitening or a full mouth reconstruction, expect nothing but some of the best dental care Ventura County has available.
Call today for a private consultation. Renew your smile, renew your life.
About Your Oxnard, CA Cosmetic Dentist:
We look forward to providing families with exceptional care and advanced treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jivraj contact our Oxnard, CA, dental office today by calling 805-988-3317. Our office at 2821 N Ventura Road, Oxnard, CA 93036 welcomes patients in and around Oxnard, CA, including Santa Barbara, Woodland Hills, Ventura, and the surrounding Southern California communities.
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We’re proud to help everyone achieve the smile of their dreams. We’re located in Oxnard and serve the surrounding communities including Santa Barbara, Ventura, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Woodland Hills, Simi Valley, Calabasas, Port Hueneme, Malibu, and Westlake Village.