A chipped tooth can be a scary experience. Whether it’s the result of an accident or poor dental hygiene, a damaged tooth can cause pain, sensitivity, and infection.
However, while it’s always best to see a dentist as soon as possible, there are some things you can do at home to save a damaged tooth. Here are some examples.
1. Rinse Your Mouth with Warm Water
When you think of dental care, you probably don’t think of warm water. But rinsing your mouth with warm water can actually help you save a damaged tooth. Here’s how:
When a tooth is damaged, the nerve endings are exposed to heat and cold. Rinsing with warm water helps to soothe nerve endings and reduce inflammation.
Warm water also helps to increase blood flow to the area, which speeds up healing. And finally, warm water helps to loosen any debris that may be trapping the damaged tooth.
So next time you damage a tooth, reach for the tap and give your mouth a good rinse with warm water. It just might help you save your tooth.
2. Consider Getting Tooth Implants
When you think about getting a tooth implant, you might be focused on the cosmetic benefits. After all, an artificial tooth can help restore your smile’s appearance. However, implants offer much more than just cosmetic advantages. In fact, they can also help preserve your teeth’s health.
When a tooth is damaged, it weakens the surrounding teeth. This is because the damaged tooth can no longer support the chewing force, and the force is transferred to the other teeth. Over time, this can lead to serious damage to the other teeth.
In addition, when a tooth is damaged, it is more likely to develop decay. This is because decay-causing bacteria can enter through cracks in the tooth enamel. However, implants are made of titanium, a material not susceptible to decay. As a result, an implant can help preserve your teeth’s health.
So, from preserving your smile to protecting your overall oral health, implants are an investment that is well worth considering.
3. Eat Soft Foods
When you have a damaged tooth, it’s important to be careful about what you eat. Biting into hard foods can put too much pressure on the tooth and worsen the damage.
Eating soft foods like soup, mashed potatoes, and yogurt until you can get to a dentist, on the other hand, can help to protect the tooth and give it a chance to heal. Soft foods are easier to chew, so there’s less risk of putting too much pressure on the damaged tooth.
In addition, soft foods are often packed with nutrients that can help to promote healing. So if you’re looking for ways to care for a damaged tooth, be sure to add some soft foods to your diet.
4. Apply Ice
When you break or crack a tooth, it’s important to seek professional dental help right away. However, there are some cases where you may not be able to see a dentist immediately. In such cases, applying ice can help to reduce swelling and pain and may also help to save the tooth.
If you’re in pain, apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek for 10 minutes at a time. This will help to numb the area and reduce swelling. Just be sure not to apply the ice directly to your skin, as this could cause frostbite.
One of the main reasons why ice is effective is that it helps to constrict blood vessels. This reduces bleeding and inflammation and can also help to reduce the chances of infection. Applying ice as soon as possible after an injury is, therefore, one of the best ways to reduce the extent of damage and improve the chances of saving a tooth.
5. Take Over-the-Counter Pain Medication
When you have a toothache, your first instinct may be to head to the dentist. However, you may be able to save your tooth by taking over-the-counter pain medication. Pain medication can help relieve the inflammation and pressure often associated with toothache.
If the over-the-counter numbing gel isn’t enough, you can take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Just be sure not to exceed the recommended dosage, and always follow the instructions on the label.
This can give you the relief you need to avoid further damage to your tooth. In addition, pain medication can also help to reduce the amount of pain you feel. This can make it easier for you to focus on other important tasks, such as seeing the dentist.
A chipped tooth is no fun, but there are things you can do at home to ease the pain and prevent further damage. Be sure to see a dentist as soon as possible for proper treatment and follow their instructions on how best to care for your damaged tooth. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with warm water, avoid hard foods, apply ice, and take over-the-counter pain medication if necessary. You should also consider having dental implants to save your tooth from further damage.
