Chipped tooth- What can you do?

1) Rinse with warm water, and apply cold compresses to the outside area every few minutes to keep down the swelling.

2) You can take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, but make sure you don’t take more than the recommended dosage.

3) You can also apply clove oil to the area. The oil contains eugenol, a numbing agent with anti-inflammatory properties.

4) If your tooth has a small chip and a jagged edge, you can apply dental wax to keep it from injuring your tongue. This isn’t recommended if you have a large chip or a section of the tooth is missing, as you could break off more of the tooth by flossing. Many drugstores carry OTC temporary kits that contain dental wax.

5) If its a big chip and is painful then there is a possibility that the nerve is exposed.

6) Avoid chewing on the side with the damaged tooth, and try flossing around the tooth to reduce pressure and irritation.

7) Contact your dentist as soon as possible if you are in pain. Keep the broken tooth chip safely in milk/water as depending on the condition of the tooth your dentist might be able to use it.