What to Do If You Chip Your Tooth

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Chipping a tooth can be rough for anyone. Not only might you be in pain, but now you have to worry about whether your tooth is going to survive. While it might be hard at first, the best thing for both your oral and mental health is to spring into action. Once you know you’ve done what you can do, you can breathe a little easier.

Protect Your Mouth

If you chip a tooth in Jacksonville, FL, it starts with rinsing out your mouth so you can get rid of any tooth debris. If you’re bleeding, a warm water rinse might help you prevent infection. You should also apply pressure with a cloth or pad to help stop the bleeding. Finally, use cold compresses to reduce swelling.

Do You Need Professional Help If You Chip a Tooth?

The answer to this question depends on several factors. If you have a small chip in your tooth, you might feel comfortable just waiting to see if it gets any worse. If it’s a larger chip that’s not causing any oral pain, you might cover it with dental wax so the jagged edges of the tooth don’t hurt your cheeks or lips.

While these are understandable reactions, though, the reality is that a chipped tooth is now more vulnerable to damage. Avoiding hard or chewy foods can certainly reduce your odds that it will get worse, but you shouldn’t take chances. Having the tooth extracted is not only going to be an extra expense, it can have irreparable effects on the structural integrity of your teeth and gums. You might end up needing to get an implant for a tooth that could have otherwise been saved.

Visit an Emergency Dentist in Jacksonville, FL

If you’ve chipped a tooth and don’t want to wait to see a professional, you can find emergency dentists in Jacksonville, FL. Our team understands that dental issues can pop up at any time and that urgent care and emergency rooms are unlikely to have the tools or the expertise to treat it. If you want to have the best chance of saving a tooth, contact us when it happens, so let us show you what we can do.

Young man losing a tooth

Lost a Permanent Tooth? Here’s What You Should Know  

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Oh no, you’ve lost a permanent tooth! This experience can be a scary one, but it helps to know what to do. Taking fast action can even help save your tooth, if you work closely with your dentist in Jacksonville FL. Here’s what you should know about fixing a lost permanent tooth.

What to Do When You Lose a Permanent Tooth

The first thing you should do when you lose a permanent tooth is to remain calm. Don’t panic! The calmer you are, the easier it will be for you to think clearly to take the next steps.

Find the Tooth and Clean It

Find the tooth, where ever it is on the ground. When you find it, pick it up by the crown (not the root). Rinse the tooth off in sterile saline solution, milk or in your own saliva.

Store the Tooth Properly

Once the tooth has been rinsed, it’s important to store the tooth properly. The best place to store the tooth is in the same hole that it just vacated in your mouth. Insert the tooth back in the hole, root down, then bite down gently on the tooth to keep it in place.

If you’re not able to do this, the second best place for your tooth is in the cheek of your mouth. Put the tooth in the space between your cheek and teeth, and hold it there until you get to the dentist.

Head to the Dentist Right Away

Speed is key when you’ve lost a permanent tooth. Head to the dentist as quickly as possible to get your tooth treated and potentially re-inserted back in your mouth. Call the dentist to let them know you’re on your way.

A Lost Permanent Tooth Is a Dental Emergency

When you lose a permanent tooth, you’re having a dental emergency. You may be able to save the tooth, but only if you visit your emergency dentist in Jacksonville, FL. At Mandarin Dentistry, we help our patients through dental emergencies like this one. If you’ve lost a permanent tooth, call us for help as soon as possible.