Look for a darker color near the missing piece. This can indicate tooth decay. A chipped filling can also cause a chipped tooth. Look in the mirror to compare the part that is chipped to the remaining tooth.
Sometimes, with chipped teeth, especially at night, the sharp edges of dentin and enamel might hurt your tongue. Be careful when you’re checking the chip with your tongue, and see your dentist as soon as possible.
A fracture extending to the second layer of the tooth or to the pulp, where blood vessels and nerves are located. An indentation large enough to trap food, which will increase your chance of getting a cavity. A vertical chip positioned in such a way that it is placing added pressure on the tooth.
Remember that these materials are only temporary; they are not meant to take the place of a visit to the dentist’s office. Make an appointment as soon as possible. Temporary materials wear away rather quickly. When this happens, it leaves your tooth extremely vulnerable to decay.
Keep in mind that dental wax is very temporary. It falls off frequently, requiring you to replace it again and again. As with filling materials, it does not take the place of professional dental care. If you have it on hand, you can also try placing a bit of sugarless gum over any sharp edges.
Never apply cold compresses directly to your chipped tooth; this will intensify your pain rather than relieving it. Try a bag of frozen food if you have nothing else handy.
You can also try putting a corn kernel sized amount of anesthetic gel onto a piece of gauze and holding it on your painful tooth. Try not to swallow the gel or bite down too hard.
Bleeding is serious in a tooth that is broken. Immediate dental care may be require to keep the tooth from dying. If the bleeding continues for more than fifteen minutes or seems very heavy, you need to get help immediately. Consider heading to the emergency room or an urgent care center if you cannot get in to see a dentist.
