Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Finding a Broken Tooth
• Part 2 of 3: Dealing with a damaged tooth yourself
• Part 3 of 3: Deciding on the course of treatment
• Tips

A chipped tooth is a fairly common problem that occurs for a number of reasons. The magnitude of the damage and the cost of appropriate treatment vary greatly.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Finding a Broken Tooth

1. 1 Determine if you have accurately cracked a tooth. There are several signs to watch out for, but the most common are pain and discomfort. The pain can be caused by several reasons:
   • The crack in the tooth has reached the dentin and pulp, where the nerves and blood vessels are located.
   • The crack is large enough to contain food pieces.
   • The crack is positioned vertically so that it puts pressure on the tooth.
2. 2 Examine your tooth in a mirror and determine if the tooth size has decreased significantly. If the crack is large enough, you may even be able to see it. Small cracks are, of course, much more difficult to spot.
3. 3 Feel your teeth with your tongue. If you can't see any cracks or chips in the mirror, run your tongue over your teeth. If a tooth feels rough and sharp to the touch, it is most likely chipped.
4. 4 See your dentist. If you experience severe pain or bleeding, see your doctor right away. Even if you do not feel pain, but suspect that you have split your tooth, see your dentist as soon as possible. You yourself will not be able to see and estimate for sure the size of the crack and the damage caused to the tooth. Even if you don't feel pain now, there is no guarantee that it won't appear in a few days or weeks.

Part 2 of 3: Dealing with a damaged tooth yourself

1. 1 Avoid solid foods. If you split a tooth, it is best not to chew anything hard, as the tooth is very weak. Whenever possible, eat only soft foods and try to chew them with the other side of your mouth to avoid getting on a sore tooth.
2. 2 Stay away from cold foods and drinks. A chipped tooth is especially sensitive because unprotected nerves are more sensitive to any changes in temperature. Cold or hot foods will aggravate the situation and cause new bouts of pain.
3. 3 Consider a temporary filling. Dental cement and other similar materials can be purchased over the counter. They are usually accompanied by clear step-by-step instructions. If a chipped tooth aches and bothers you, consider a temporary filling.
   • Remember, these materials are a temporary solution! They will only help buy you some time. But you need to make an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible!
4. 4 Try dental wax. The sharp and jagged edges of a chipped tooth can injure the tongue and cheeks. Dental wax can solve this problem.
   • Keep in mind that dental wax is a temporary solution. It falls frequently and has to be replaced over and over again. Of course, you should see your dentist as soon as possible.
   • If you have sugar-free gum on hand, you can stick some gum to the chipped tooth to prevent the sharp edges of the tooth from damaging your cheeks and tongue.
5. 5 Apply cold compresses. If you are in severe pain, a cold compress should help. Simply wrap the ice in a towel and apply it to your cheek.
   • Never apply cold compresses directly to a chipped tooth! This will only cause more bouts of pain.
6. 6 Take a pain reliever. It may temporarily relieve discomfort. Follow the directions on the package.
7. 7 Know how to stop bleeding. Take a clean piece of sterile gauze or cotton cloth. Put it in your mouth and bite. The pressure should stop the bleeding. Then see your dentist urgently!
   • If the bleeding continues for more than fifteen minutes, or the blood is flowing too much, get help right away. You can even call an ambulance or an ambulance if it takes too long to get to the nearest dental clinic.
8. 8 See your dentist as soon as possible. If you have a chipped tooth, make an appointment with your doctor, even if you are not yet in pain. Only a dentist can correctly diagnose your problem and prescribe treatment. Do not try to heal the tooth yourself!

Part 3 of 3: Deciding on the course of treatment

1. 1 Consider polishing your tooth. This is the fastest and easiest way if the crack is small or the tooth is not chipped. The dentist can simply smooth out the rough area and sharp edges of the tooth and make further adjustments. Your tooth can be healed in one visit!
2. 2 Make an appointment for a tooth filling. If the crack is small, the filling will correct the situation. Of course, this procedure is more painful than polishing and tooth reconstruction, but it can repair small cracks.As a rule, filling a tooth does not take much time.
3. 3 If the cracks are large or the tooth is chipped too badly, consider a crown. If you have chipped about half of your tooth or more, a crown is a must. It will protect the rest of the tooth. You will have to visit your dentist several times to get the crown inserted.
4. 4 Removal of a tooth. If the tooth is badly damaged, it is best to remove it altogether. This is done quickly, but involves wearing dentures.

Tips

• If you split a tooth, but you still have this shard, do not throw it away! Take with you to the doctor's appointment, maybe this shard can somehow be used to restore a tooth.