Is A Chipped Tooth A Dental Emergency?

You're enjoying some snacks in front of the TV one night, and then you hear a very loud crack when you bite down. Then, you see one of your teeth has chipped.

Is this a dental emergency?

Chipped teeth aren’t always a cause for alarm, but it can depend on your specific case. Keep reading to find out when a chipped tooth needs emergency or regular dental care.

3 Signs Your Chipped Tooth Is an Emergency

Most chipped teeth can wait for a regular-hours appointment. If the tooth is chipped, it means a small part of the enamel has broken off, which can be fixed through dental bonding or even veneers.

However, if you notice any of these 3 signs, your tooth might need immediate attention:

• Pain and swelling - If the area around your tooth starts to swell, and you notice throbbing and sharp pains, the chipped area might have been larger, so the nerves are now exposed;

• Discoloration - The tooth may start to change its color, appearing grayer or developing darker spots on it;

• Bleeding - Bleeding is common with dental chipping, but it usually goes away shortly. If it doesn’t, then you need immediate medical attention.

Most tooth chips won’t present these symptoms. But if they appear, then the damage is much greater. Your tooth might have also cracked or even been fractured, not chipped.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

If you severely chip your tooth or are experiencing any other type of dental emergency, follow these steps:

1. Stay calm

As with any emergency, emotions can run wild during a dental crisis. It’s very important to stay calm and properly assess the situation.

For instance, if you chip your tooth following a fall, make sure you don’t have other symptoms that need more attention, such as feeling dizzy or bleeding.

2. Call Dr. Kim

Then, call Dr. Kim at (720) 779-0088 for immediate help. While on the phone, you can receive personalized tips on how to handle your dental emergency on the spot.

Dr. Kim can also help you determine if you are dealing with a dental emergency or not, so it’s very important to answer all questions as best you can regarding pain levels, the extent of the damage, and even how the chip occurred.

3. Don’t Skip Your Appointment

If it turns out your chipped tooth isn’t a dental emergency, you should still see Dr. Kim for your appointment. Though the chip isn’t severe, it’s still important to restore it to full strength and prevent further damage from occurring.

Dealing with an Emergency? Don’t Wait

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency in Arvada, Dr. Kim from Candelas Dentistry is here to help with same-day, after-hours, and even weekend oral health appointments. 

Call us at (720) 779-0088 for immediate dental care.

For a regular apportionment, you can request a visit to Candelas Dentistry online.