Sometimes accidents occur when you least expect them, and you need emergency care. Most dentists would be happy to ensure you are promptly treated when they do happen; however, until you can be seen, knowing what to do will alleviate a lot of anxiety and worry.
Chipping or cracking a tooth can be as simple as biting into a hard food or ripping open a package, which we don’t recommend. You can also be hit from an impact of some sort, such as with an object. If any of these unfortunate accidents should occur, we want to help at Jamie P. Choi, DDS. We care about not just maintaining your smile, but ensuring that if accidents happen, we can take care of them promptly. There are some things you can do in the meantime, while waiting to see Dr. Jamie Choi.
To reduce pain and swelling, your dentist may suggest taking an anti-inflammatory and rinsing your mouth with warm water, to help remove food particles that can get stuck in the jagged edges of a cracked tooth. Warm water is also good if the tooth is sensitive. Swishing will mouthwash may also help keep your teeth clean, if the tooth is too sensitive to brush. If you are in severe pain, the dentist may recommend using an ice pack, covered with a cloth, and prescribe pain medication.
When you do get an appointment, there are a number of restorative procedures to consider, including:
– Veneers
– Dental Implants
– Crowns
– Bonding
A chipped tooth is a common emergency issue, but is easy to restore, so you can get back to enjoying life. Call us for more information on first aid for a chipped tooth in San Jose, California, at 408-973-8500.