It can be a serious cause for concern if one of your child’s teeth has been chipped, cracked or fractured. Even if the damaged enamel and doesn’t expose the pulp of the tooth it can still lead to tooth decay and other issues further down the line. This could even result in extraction of a baby tooth. Baby teeth that are extracted early, increase the chances of alignment issues developing when the permanent tooth in that spot emerges later.
If your child has a tooth with damaged enamel, you should call us as soon as possible to determine the best course of action or schedule an appointment.
If a blow to the face caused the damage it could also cause pain or bleeding. You can rinse their mouth with salt water to wash away blood and soothe gum tissues. Avoid having them rinse with antiseptic mouthwash as it can irritate injured tissues. If they experience swelling in the area, you can lightly hold a cold compress to their cheek for 15 minutes at a time. Oral anesthetic rubbed on the gums can help reduce pain in the short term, while you are getting them the attention they need.
If the damaged enamel doesn’t expose the sensitive pulp layer, your dentist might be able to restore the tooth with cosmetic bonding. This procedure involves filling and sculpting the area with a resin material that can be color matched to the natural enamel of the tooth.
If the tooth has only minor chips in it, such as from chewing on ice, pens, pencils or rock, the dentist might be able to blend the area with a small filling. They might also be able to blend away the damaged enamel with a dental contouring procedure.
If your child has a cracked, chipped or fractured tooth, you should call us immediately at 541-342-1072 to schedule an appointment.