If you chip a tooth, contact your dentist as soon as possible. At home care starts with protecting it by covering the jagged edge with temporary filling, teabag, gum, or wax. Ease pain with ibuprofen and ice. You can also floss to remove food particles that can aggravate the injured tooth. Avoid chewing on the affected tooth. Apply topical pain reliever on painful gums. Wear a mouthguard for sports and, in some cases, at night to protect against further damage caused by teeth grinding. 

Can a chipped tooth harm your overall oral health?

In most cases a chipped tooth doesn’t harm your overall health, particularly if it is small, doesn’t get deep into the tooth, and you fix it quickly. However, an extensive chip affecting the tooth root may lead to infection and require further treatment, like a root canal. Symptoms of concern related to a chipped tooth include pain when eating, sensitivity to hot/cold, fever, bad breath, and swollen glands in neck/jaw area. In some cases, it might seem like you don’t need to call the dentist for your chipped tooth. For example, with a chipped molar or a chipped front tooth that doesn’t hurt or seem extensive, you might think it isn’t necessary to fix it right away. However, delaying treatment for a chipped tooth, even if it is minor can lead to more serious complications and damage if left alone. So, be sure to contact your dentist to schedule your chipped tooth repair.