What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth Los Angeles, CA
There are many reasons why a chipped tooth can occur, from an accident to merely chewing. If a chipped tooth occurs, professional dental care is necessary to receive proper evaluation and treatment. It is essential to seek prompt treatment to prevent the problem from worsening.
If you have a chipped tooth, do not hesitate to seek treatment. Westchester Dental Arts in Los Angeles and the surrounding area is here to help. Call us today at (310) 450-0300 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
Chipped Teeth Are Common
A chipped tooth is a common dental injury. According to the American Association of Endodontists, chipped teeth account for a majority of dental injuries. Although a chipped tooth can induce panic and anxiety, it is typically a mild problem that we can fix through various methods.
People should remain calm so they can take the proper steps to fix this problem. The best thing for patients to do after chipping a tooth is to focus on their breath and slow it down. While not all chipped teeth will require treatment, patients should visit our dentist to ensure that they receive the necessary treatment to restore and protect their teeth.
“According to the American Association of Endodontists, chipped teeth account for a majority of dental injuries.”
What to Do Immediately After Chipping a Tooth
After chipping a tooth, the most important thing to do is first call a dentist. If the person is experiencing pain or bleeding after chipping a tooth, it is particularly paramount to contact the dentist immediately. Doing so can help avoid complications such as an infection, nerve damage, or increased pain.
After contacting the dentist, you should try to locate any tooth fragments. If a fragment is still in the mouth or it has fallen out, place it in a glass of cold milk. While this practice may seem strange, preserving the tooth fragment in milk can help salvage the tooth, making it possible for your dentist to reattach the fragment later. If the tooth fragment was accidentally swallowed, do not try to retrieve it.
If there is any bleeding associated with the chipped tooth, use a warm water mouth rinse to gently clean and soothe the area. Place gauze over the bleeding area and apply pressure to encourage clot formation. For pain associated with a chipped tooth, we advise taking an over-the-counter analgesic medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, provided that the patient can tolerate pain medications.
“If there is any bleeding associated with the chipped tooth, use a warm water mouth rinse to gently clean and soothe the area.”
Chipped Tooth in a Child vs. Adult
Although chipping a tooth is common for both adults and children, there are different concerns for each. Chipped primary teeth are especially common in children. We recommend treatments to repair the damaged tooth based on the patient's age and how badly the tooth is injured.
When treating chipped primary teeth in children, the main concern is to prevent damage to the underlying permanent tooth. Unlike an adult, a child's permanent teeth are not fully developed and will require immediate attention if a chip occurs. Regardless of whether the chipped tooth occurs in a child or adult, it is important to see our dentist as quickly as possible for treatment.
“When treating chipped primary teeth in children, the main concern is to prevent damage to the underlying permanent tooth.”
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How to Treat a Chipped Tooth
There are many treatment options available for chipped teeth, and treatment will depend on the nature of the injury. The American Dental Association notes that sometimes the chip in a tooth is small enough to be smoothed down with a file.
Other methods of repairing a chipped tooth include:
- Reattaching a broken fragment
- Bonding a composite resin to the tooth
- Repairing a chip with a tooth-colored filling
- Applying a veneer or crown
- Installing a dental implant
We will discuss the treatment options available to you, depending on the nature of the chip, and patients will be able to decide which option they prefer.
“We will discuss the treatment options available to you, depending on the nature of the chip, and patients will be able to decide which option they prefer.”
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Q. What should I do if I chip a tooth?
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How to Take Care of a Chipped Tooth Once It Has Been Repaired
Depending on how the chipped tooth was repaired, the patient may require different levels of tooth maintenance to preserve its integrity. Immediately following the repair procedure, we will give the patient-specific instructions about how to care for the tooth in the aftermath.
These general maintenance principles apply across all chipped teeth that have been repaired:
- Exercise proper oral care by gently brushing twice daily and flossing once daily.
- Use products that are specially formulated for sensitive teeth, such as toothpaste and mouthwashes.
- Do not use teeth to open objects, and do not bite down on anything too hard.
- Get routine dental assessments (usually every six months) so that the health of the tooth can be monitored.
“Immediately following the repair procedure, we will give the patient-specific instructions about how to care for the tooth in the aftermath.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How common are chipped teeth?
A. It is very common to experience a chipped tooth. In fact, the American Association of Endodontists reports that the most common type of dental injury is a chipped tooth. Luckily there are many things you can do to avoid a chipped tooth, such as making sure you do not use your teeth to open non-food items and wearing a mouth guard during contact sports.
Q. How do chipped teeth most commonly occur?
A. The most common way teeth chip is through injury. However, they can occur from other situations besides accidents and are often a result of weakened tooth enamel. Biting down on hard foods or objects can chip a tooth easily when the teeth are not as strong as they once were. We recommend using a mouthguard when playing sports and while sleeping to avoid injury or chipping a tooth from grinding or clenching.
Q. Why does my chipped tooth hurt?
A. If your chipped tooth hurts, it may be because the injury extends past the surface of your tooth. If the chip continues through the enamel and dentin layers of your tooth and exposes the inner part of the tooth known as the tooth pulp, you can experience pain. Make sure to follow up with your dentist as soon as you can.
Q. What should I do with the piece of the tooth that chipped off?
A. If you locate the chipped piece of tooth, you should save it to bring to your dental appointment. Try to keep the tooth chip moist by transporting it in cold milk. It may be possible for your dentist to reattach the chipped piece, but this is not always possible.
Q. What if I chip a tooth and it falls out?
A. If your chipped tooth becomes loose and falls out, this constitutes a dental emergency. You should contact your dentist as soon as possible so that you have the highest likelihood of preserving the integrity of the tooth. If possible, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you try to keep the tooth moist by replacing it in your mouth until you receive further instructions from your dentist.
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Dental Emergency Terminology
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If you have a chipped tooth, do not panic. Our team at Westchester Dental Arts can help restore a chipped tooth's function and appearance. Call us today at 310-450-0300 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2026
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistryยฎ (AACD). Home Page. 2026
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2026
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