Alright. So your tooth chipped. Or cracked. Or maybe even broke off a little. Not fun — and probably a bit freaky when it first happens. But don’t stress too hard. It happens to a lot of people, and yeah, it’s fixable.
Here’s the lowdown, straight up.
Why It Happens
- You bit something stupid hard
Ice cubes, hard candy, olive pits… teeth aren’t tools, but we treat them like they are sometimes. - Your tooth was already weak
Cavities, old fillings, or just enamel wearing down over time. Even healthy-looking teeth can be fragile inside. - You grind your teeth at night
Yep, that pressure adds up. One day, your tooth just decides it’s had enough. - You took a hit
Maybe you fell. Maybe something hit your face. Accidents happen — that’s how a lot of teeth get cracked.
What You Can Do About It
- Tiny chip?
Dentists can smooth it out or fill it in with some bonding. Quick, no big deal. - Medium break?
They might use bonding or put a crown on it. Depends on how deep the damage is. - Pain or nerve exposed?
That’s more serious. You might need a root canal and a crown. Doesn’t sound fun, but it saves the tooth. - Tooth broke near the gum line?
That’s a tough one. Could mean a post and crown… or worst case, pulling the tooth and getting an implant or bridge.
What NOT to Do
- Don’t chew on it. Even soft stuff. Let it rest.
- Don’t wait it out. It’s not gonna heal on its own.
- Don’t go poking at it, not with your tongue, not with a toothpick.
While You Wait for the Dentist
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Take over-the-counter painkillers if it hurts
- Stick to soft foods
- If it’s sharp, you can stick a bit of sugar-free gum or dental wax over it (just temporary!)
Broken tooth? It sucks, but it’s fixable. Just don’t put it off. The sooner you get it checked, the less trouble it’ll be.
Need help figuring out what to say when you call the dentist? Or wanna know what a root canal actually feels like? Let me know — happy to break it down like a real one.
