If you’ve ever chipped a tooth or three, you know it’s an unpleasant experience. Even if the tooth doesn’t hurt, it can be hard to avoid staring at the jagged bit of enamel and wondering how long it will take for your dentist to fix the chipped tooth up with a new crown.
The good news is that if you don’t mind some dental work, there are a few ways to keep your mouth in tip-top shape while the dentist fixes up your smile. Here are some tips:
Use ADA-authorized whitening toothpaste
The first step in making your chipped tooth look better and healthier is to use ADA-authorized whitening toothpaste. This means that the American Dental Association has tested and approved it, and it will not harm your teeth or gums.
There are many types of ADA-approved toothpaste on the market. Some are for general use, while others are specifically for sensitive teeth. Choosing a variety of toothpaste recommended by your dentist and safe for you personally is essential.
Some people may experience side effects from common bleaching ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or fluoride (which both have advantages). After you have chosen a whitening toothpaste, make sure to brush your teeth regularly.
Most dentists recommend brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once daily. If you want to ensure that your teeth get the best possible treatment, visit your dentist regularly.
Wear a night guard
A night guard is a device worn at night to protect your teeth from grinding. Night guards can help prevent the chipped tooth from worsening. Still, you should only use them after consulting with a dentist or orthodontist.
Make sure that you choose a night guard that fits comfortably in your mouth without obstructing breathing or swallowing does not give you headaches when you wear it for long periods and does not cause jaw pain.
The best night guards are ones that are comfortable enough to wear every single night without fail. Badly fitting ones may cause more damage than good because they will lead to discomfort and disuse over time.
If you wear a night guard, remember to brush and floss your teeth as regularly as possible. This will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, which can further damage the mouth.
Apply a veneer
One of the most popular ways to fix a chipped tooth is using a veneer. This is a thin shell of ceramic, porcelain, or composite material that covers the front of your teeth. It can be used to cover chips and cracks in your teeth as well as change their shape or alignment.
There are several things you should look for when selecting the best teeth veneers.
- The color and appearance of your existing and new teeth should match as much as possible, so they blend seamlessly.
- The size and shape should be similar but not identical because otherwise, there will be a noticeable difference between them which might make people think you have filed down some tooth enamel by accident while eating corn on the cob one day.
- There needs to be enough space between each piece so none bumps into another when biting down on something hard like pizza crusts. Still, it also needs enough depth to stay firmly attached without falling off whenever someone laughs.
- The material should be solid and durable to withstand chewing pressure without breaking or chipping.
- The surface should be smooth with no sharp edges that could injure your gums when brushing them.
Strengthen with a dental crown
Dental crowns can be used to cover the entire visible part of a tooth and strengthen it when it is weakened by decay or injury. You may need a dental crown if you have a chipped tooth, crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, stained teeth from dark-colored foods like coffee or tea, or any other problem with your smile.
A dental crown will restore your smile’s appearance while protecting your existing healthy tooth structure underneath the damaged area. A good way to tell if you got the best dental crown is by looking at its color match with your surrounding teeth. There should be no noticeable difference between them.
If the dentist has placed a too big crown, you may experience pain while chewing or biting. If it’s too small, your teeth will feel uneven when you bite down on them. When you notice these symptoms, it’s essential to contact your dentist as soon as possible. They can adjust the size of your crown until it fits perfectly.
In Closing
If you’re looking for a way to make your smile look better, it may be time to consider some of these solutions. Hopefully, this article has given you some ideas to tackle the problem and make your chipped tooth look better.
