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.
Following things 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.
Chipped tooth pain relief
Flush the inside of your mouth with warm water, and apply cold compresses to the outside area every few minutes to keep down the swelling.
You can take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, but make sure you don’t take more than the recommended dosage.
You can also apply clove oil to the area. The oil contains eugenol, a numbing agent with anti-inflammatory properties.
How to protect your mouth until you see a dentist
If your tooth has a small chip and a jagged edge, you can apply dental wax over the edge to keep it from slicing your tongue or damaging your mouth. This isn’t recommended if you have a large chip or a section of tooth is missing, as you could break off more of the tooth by flossing.
Many drugstores carry OTC temporary kits that contain dental wax.
Avoid chewing on the side with the damaged tooth, and try flossing around the tooth to reduce pressure and irritation.
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