It isn’t good when you rub your tongue along your teeth and feel an empty space where there shouldn’t be one. This could only mean you have chipped a tooth. Teeth, along with many other parts of the body, have limits to their strength. What do you do when your tooth becomes chipped, broken, or possibly fractured?
The best first step is to call your dentist and set up an appointment. If you wait or take too long, your tooth can become even more damaged and possibly infected. If these two occur, you are increasing the likelihood of having to lose your tooth completely.
While you are waiting to be seen by your dentist, take pain medicine to lower the discomfort you are feeling. You can also rinse your mouth with salt water.
If the break has caused a sharp or jagged edge, cover it with a piece of wax paraffin or sugarless chewing gum. this will help prevent it from cutting your cheeks or tongue.
If you must eat, avoid biting down on the side with the broken tooth.
Your dentist, when assessing your tooth, will know the proper treatment for it such as filling or bonding. If you want more information on these treatment techniques, read more in our other blogs!
If you or a member of your family is looking for a dentist in the Lowcountry area, Progressive Family Dentistry would love to schedule an appointment with you!