Unless the damage is minor, there is no permanent way to repair a chipped tooth without consulting a dentist. In the meantime, the best thing to do is to treat pain and protect the tooth and the inside of the mouth to prevent further injury. Unless you experience significant pain or bleeding, a chipped or slightly cracked tooth isn't usually a dental emergency. For mild pain or discomfort, use a cold pack (or ice or frozen peas wrapped in a clean towel) and over-the-counter pain relievers.
If you prefer a natural remedy, you can apply clove oil or even a wet mint tea bag to the sore area for some relief. If only a small portion of the tooth enamel has come off, the dentist can repair the damage with a filling. If the repair is on a front tooth or can be seen when smiling, the dentist will likely use a procedure called bonding, which uses a composite resin the color of the tooth. Enamel and dentin underneath are important substances for oral health, and dentists can preserve them while fixing a chipped tooth.
Cavities and other dental cavities can also weaken tooth enamel, as can heartburn or acid reflux, along with the consumption of significant amounts of sugar or acidic foods such as coffee, fruit and fruit juices, and spicy foods. Dental fillings are a common way to repair a broken tooth or decay, especially if it's a chipped molar or a posterior tooth that isn't very visible. However, unlike veneers, crowns cover the entire tooth rather than just the front or visible part of the tooth. Patients can expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a small chip that requires dental adhesion or a few thousand for a serious chip that needs root canal treatment and a crown.
A cosmetic dentist can install a veneer over just the broken tooth or several at a time to create a cohesive appearance, making veneers an excellent choice if you want to repair your chipped tooth while improving the overall look of your smile. The damage it can do to your teeth ranges from a small splinter or crack to breaking a tooth or having one completely dislodged. If no further problems are detected, the dentist will numb the tooth and surrounding gum and then remove enough of the remaining tooth to make room for a crown. After scheduling an appointment with your family's dentist, try keeping the tooth or tooth fragment in milk, wrapping any sharp edges with gauze, and taking medication with over-the-counter pain relievers. Using clove oil around painful gum spots can also help numb the area around the chipped tooth.
If only a small portion of enamel has come off, it's likely that the dentist can repair it in one office visit. If there is significant damage such as breakage or splintering that leaves large parts of the tooth missing, then dentists may use filling material to build up the tooth and hold in place with a crown. It's important to keep in mind that if you have had any previous breakage or chipping of teeth then they will be more vulnerable in future and require extra care. Dealing with cracked or chipped teeth is painful; living in constant agony reduces quality of life. Acidic foods and stomach acids break down enamel and leave teeth exposed which makes them more likely to chip or break.
