Little chipmunks — cute. Tortilla chips and salsa — delicious. But a chipped tooth, well, that's not ideal. Especially if it's your child that chipped their tooth. But fear not, a chipped tooth isn't uncommon for toddlers as they grow up and learn to play independently. If this sounds like you and your little one, relax, and read below. We got your child and their tooth covered.
How To Deal With Your Child's Chipped Tooth
Stay Calm
While the dental or medical care that your child may require is essential, it's not the first thing to do when your child chips their tooth. When the child realizes what happened, they often start to worry. The more calm and supportive you can be, the better to help your child mimic your reaction. If there's pain, a dentist appointment is necessary for treatment, obviously. But try to soothe your child's feelings and not make them feel self-conscious about the chip. Remember, your reaction often dictates how they'll react.
Do Your Research
When you make your dentist appointment, it's good to know what to expect. With your average chipped tooth, you're looking at a few options.
- Filing
- This path is only for the tiniest chips where the dentist would file the tooth down until it's smooth and has the natural feel of their other teeth.
- Bonding
- Probably the most common, simple, and inexpensive route for a chipped tooth is bonding. This process consists of applying or bonding a composite resin to your tooth's surface to fill in the chip area. A shade is picked to match the natural color of your tooth. A single tooth chip should take one visit, most likely under an hour, while multiple teeth could take numerous appointments.
- Veneers
- A more expensive and permanent option for larger chips is veneers. Instead of filling in the chipped area, veneers are resin or porcelain coverings affixed to the front of the chipped tooth. They're excellent for damaged teeth and as a cosmetic treatment for a whiter smile.
Chat with your dentist to discuss the best option for your child.
Make It a Teachable Moment
Similar to saving their tooth for the tooth fairy, you could encourage your child to take care of the chipped portion of their tooth. The Cleveland Clinic suggests storing the tooth in cold milk to help preserve its vitality. By doing this, it could allow the dentist to possibly reattach it. It also allows your child to turn a possible tough situation into a positive one by having them take responsibility for looking after the tooth and almost treating it like a trophy.
Hopefully, your child never has to endure a chipped tooth. But knowing your treatment options and having your child chip in with caring for the tooth can make the experience a growing moment in their childhood and oral care.
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
