It always seems to happen at the worst time: You bite into something crunchy, take a fall, or notice it in the mirror. A chipped tooth might look minor, but it can feel sharp and sensitive.
Good news, though: Most chipped teeth are highly treatable, and often more quickly than you’d expect. Bonding, for example, can be completed in a single visit.
This month, David Blaustein, DDS, and the Chelsea Dental Aesthetics team in New York City talk about chipped teeth.
A small chip might be purely cosmetic, while a larger break can expose deeper layers of your tooth. That’s when sensitivity, pain, or increased risk of infection can come into play.
Chipped teeth can result from:
Even if your chipped tooth doesn’t hurt, it’s still worth having it evaluated at our Chelsea neighborhood office in Manhattan. What may appear minor on the surface can sometimes be more complex.
Regardless of how you chipped your tooth, take immediate action.
First, don’t panic. Rinse your mouth with warm water to keep the area clean. If a large portion of your tooth chips off, store it in the pocket of your cheek, a small container of milk, or a tooth-saving first aid kit.
If there’s bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze, and avoid chewing on that side.
Sharp edges can be a hazard, so if the edge feels sharp, cover it with dental wax or sugar-free gum so you don’t cut your lip or tongue.
Over-the-counter pain relief can help with pain, but don’t place aspirin directly on the gums.
When you come to Chelsea Dental Aesthetics, our team can:
Dr. Blaustein examines the tooth and may take digital X-rays to assess the depth of the damage. That helps determine whether the issue is cosmetic or involves deeper tooth structures.
The right fix depends on the extent of your tooth damage. After reviewing your X-rays and examining your tooth, Dr. Blaustein may recommend:
If the chip exposes the inner pulp of your tooth, bacteria can enter and cause damage that may require a nonsurgical root canal. That can often save your natural tooth and help you avoid an extraction later on.
We can often complete treatment in 1-2 visits. If you have multiple chipped teeth, perhaps from an accident, Dr. Blaustein may recommend different treatments for each damaged tooth.
A few small habits can go a long way in protecting your smile from future chips:
If sleep apnea or bruxism (teeth grinding) contributed to your chipped tooth, Dr. Blaustein can create a custom night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to an increased risk of nighttime grinding, which makes a proper diagnosis and protection particularly important.
Even if a chip seems minor, delaying care can lead to bigger problems, such as increased sensitivity, further breakage, or infection.
Call 917-200-0219 today or request an appointment online to get started.
