How to Manage a Child’s Chipped Tooth

If your child has a chipped tooth, don’t panic! It’s important to manage the injury properly so that it doesn’t cause further damage or infection. In this blog post, we will discuss how to best deal with a chipped tooth in children. We’ll cover everything from home remedies to professional dentistry care. Keep reading for more information!

What is a Chipped Tooth?

A chipped tooth is a break in the natural enamel of the tooth. This can happen due to an injury, biting on something hard, or grinding the teeth. Chipped teeth are common in children, but can occur at any age. This is one of the most common dental injuries. If a tooth hasn’t quite chipped off yet but has a crack, this is known as a fractured tooth. Cracked teeth should also be treated as soon as possible. An untreated crack can cause permanent damage to the tooth and its roots to the point that it is no longer functional and needs to be pulled.

There are various types of cracked teeth. They are:

• Fractured cusp (tooth prominence) where a piece of the chewing surface breaks off, most likely in a molar
• Cracked tooth where a crack extends from the chewing surface to the gum line
• Split tooth where a crack has split open the tooth into two distinct pieces
• Vertical root fractures begin at the root of the tooth and extend towards the chewing surface. They may have no symptoms but can be the most damaging over time.

How Does a Child Chip a Tooth?

Think about all the new and exciting things your toddler is doing. They’re starting to walk, run, jump, and move their body in all sorts of ways.

With all this movement and play comes the potential for slips, trips, and falls. Baby teeth are small and relatively fragile. If your toddler takes a spill and lands on their face, a tooth may easily get chipped in the process.

Experts estimate that up to 50% of children will have a tooth injury at some point.

What to Do If Your Child Has a Chipped Tooth

If your child has a chipped tooth, the first thing you should do is call their dentist. If it’s after hours, you can go to the emergency room. However, most ERs will not be able to do much more than provide pain relief. They will likely refer you to a dentist anyways.

If the chipped tooth is a baby tooth, there is no need to see a dentist unless it is causing your child a lot of pain. The tooth will eventually fall out anyways and be replaced by an adult tooth.

If the chipped tooth is an adult tooth, you will need to see a dentist as soon as possible. An adult tooth cannot grow back like a baby tooth can. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.

At the Dentist

When you go to the dentist, they will first assess the damage and ask how it happened. They will then give you options for treatment. The type of treatment will depend on the severity of the damage.

For a small chip, the dentist may just smooth out the rough edges. For a bigger chip, they may attach a false tooth (called a veneer) to the front of the real tooth. For a cracked tooth, they may put in a crown (a false tooth that covers the entire real tooth). If the damage is severe, they may need to pull the tooth.

It’s important to seek professional dental care as soon as possible after a chipped tooth occurs. This will help to ensure that the damage does not become worse and that your child can keep their natural teeth for as long as possible.

Caring for a Child with a Chipped Tooth

If your child has a chipped tooth, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, there are some things you can do at home to ease their pain and prevent further damage. Give them over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen and put a cold compress on their face to reduce swelling. You should also have your child avoid hard foods and chewing on anything other than their teeth. This will help to prevent further damage and make sure the tooth doesn’t become more cracked. In some cases, a chipped tooth may not cause any pain. However, you should still take your child to the dentist to have it checked out. A small chip can turn into a big problem if it’s not treated properly.

Preventing Chipped Teeth

The best way to deal with a chipped tooth is to prevent it from happening in the first place! Here are some tips for preventing chipped teeth:

• Encourage your child to wear a mouthguard when playing sports. This will protect their teeth from any impact.
• Make sure your child is using proper dental hygiene. This includes brushing twice a day, flossing, and using mouthwash.
• Take your child to the dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. This will help to catch any problems early on.
• Try to avoid hard foods that can chip teeth, such as candy or ice.

Make an Appointment with Li’l Sunshine Smiles

At Li’l Sunshine Smiles, we are here to help your child have a healthy and happy smile. We offer a wide range of dental services for children, including check-ups, cleanings, fillings, extractions, and more. We also specialize in treating chipped teeth. If your child has a chipped tooth, make an appointment with us. We will assess the damage and provide the best possible treatment for your child. Contact us today!