It’s not unusual for adults and children to chip, crack or break a tooth. Our teeth can become damaged due to a number of reasons, including a fall, an auto accident, or a sports injury. The extent of the damage can depend on many factors, such as the condition of your teeth and gums, your age, and the type of injury you sustained.
It’s impossible to repair a chipped or damaged tooth without the help of a dentist. However, there are several things you can do to protect your teeth and mouth until you see your dentist.
How to Care For A Cracked or Chipped Tooth
For a chipped or cracked tooth, the American Dental Association recommends that you immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area to remove any debris and help prevent infection. Apply a cool rag or gauze to the area if there is bleeding. If you are experiencing any discomfort from a chipped tooth or exposed dentin, lightly applying pressure may ease it.
We highly recommend visiting your dentist immediately to have the chipped or cracked tooth treated. However, we understand sometimes you can’t just drop everything and run to the dentist when something like this occurs. You may be traveling, have a particularly busy day at work that you can’t get away from, or it may be after hours and your dentist is closed.
In this case, dental cement is available at many drugstores and can be used to temporarily cover a damaged tooth. This should be a very short-term solution though until you can get an appointment to see your dentist.
What to Do If Your Tooth Gets Knocked Out
If a tooth gets knocked out, try to preserve the tooth by placing it back in the socket (if possible), keeping it between your cheek and gums, or soaking it in milk, or applying a tooth preservation product. See a dentist right away; parts of the tooth may remain in the mouth, causing discomfort and infection.
Have a Toothache?
If you experience a toothache after a mouth or jaw injury, rinse your mouth with warm water to keep it clean. Gently brush and floss the affected tooth to remove any food caught between the teeth. Take over-the-counter pain medication. If the pain persists or gets worse, contact your dentist.
WARNING: Do not place aspirin directly onto the affected tooth or surrounding gums! Aspirin is highly acidic (FYI, aspirin is a generic name for acetylsalicylic acid) and could do more harm than good to the tooth or gum.
Contact The Dental Space If You Crack or Chip a Tooth in San Marcos, TX
If you have a cracked or chipped tooth, have lost a tooth, or have a toothache after a mouth or jaw injury, it’s important to call Dr. McCartor at The Dental Space as soon as possible to prevent further damage and avoid possible infection.
The Dental Space is a family dentistry clinic in San Marcos TX. We’re dedicated to ensuring you and your family have the brightest and healthiest smile possible. We provide the latest and most advanced dental care and treatments to patients of all ages, even as young as six months!
The Dental Space is located at 1101 Thorpe Ln, Suite 101, just off IH 35 in the Springtown Center Shopping Mall. We serve patients in San Marcos and surrounding communities, including Redwood, Martindale, Kyle, Reedville, Maxwell, and Wimberley.
The Dental Space always welcomes new patients. Use our Contact form or call us at 512-667-9770 to schedule an appointment at The Dental Space today. We accept most forms of dental insurance and provide patients with a wide range of payment options.
