Buzz
The sharp edges of teeth caused by injury can be quite uncomfortable, and they may even cut your tongue or the inside of your cheek. You can manage this issue by smoothing the tooth at home using a nail file or sandpaper. However, if you experience any pain in the affected tooth, filing it at home could be dangerous. In such cases, you can temporarily relieve the pain using dental wax and take pain medication while waiting to see a dentist.
Steps
Filing teeth with a nail file
Find or purchase a regular nail file or a diamond-coated one. These files are available online or at stores. The regular nail files are cheaper and still effective, but the diamond-coated nail files are sharper and easier to use for filing the tooth.
Hold the nail file horizontally, close to the tooth you want to smooth. Before you begin filing, ensure the tooth you're planning to work on is not painful, as pain could indicate nerve damage, and you should avoid filing in such a case.
- Don't stand in front of the mirror to get a clear view during the process.
- Check the position of the file to make sure you're not unintentionally filing other teeth.
File the tooth with a few gentle strokes back and forth. Just a few strokes, especially with a diamond-coated file, should be sufficient to round off the tooth, helping to prevent pain and further damage.
- Move slowly and avoid over-filing. You must be careful not to damage the enamel by filing too much.
Monitor any pain in the days following the filing. If you begin to experience pain in the tooth you've filed, the enamel may have been damaged. In this case, it’s best to visit a dentist.
- Enamel damage can lead to future issues, such as tooth sensitivity, cavities, cracks, and tooth decay, so it's best to see a dentist for proper treatment.
Using a sandpaper nail file to smooth the tooth
Buy a nail file made from sandpaper (not metal). You can find this type of file in stores or online. Sandpaper files are preferable because metal files may cause damage.
- Some dentists do not recommend using a sandpaper nail file for filing teeth, as enamel is quite tough and requires a sharper tool, but it can still be used for light filing if you only need to smooth the tooth slightly.
Place the sandpaper file against the tooth. Stand in front of a mirror to clearly see the tooth you want to file and the file itself. Just like when filing with a nail file, ensure the tooth you plan to smooth is not painful.
- If you experience pain in the tooth, stop filing immediately.
File the tooth with a few back-and-forth strokes. You need to smooth the tooth so it doesn’t irritate your mouth or tongue, but make sure to stop once it’s sufficiently smooth.
- Be cautious when filing, as you don’t want to damage the enamel.
Pay attention to any pain in the filed tooth. If you experience pain, the enamel may have been damaged. This could lead to dental issues in the future, so it's advisable to visit a dentist.
Use dental wax and medication for temporary pain relief
Look for dental wax at a pharmacy. If you are unable to file the tooth due to the risk of nerve damage and are waiting to see a dentist, you can cover the tooth with dental wax for temporary pain relief.
Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to alleviate pain. While these medications won't cure the problem, they can help manage the discomfort while you wait to visit the dentist or determine the cause of the tooth pain.
- Be cautious and don't assume the issue is resolved just because the pain subsides.
- Painkillers are not a long-term solution. You should see a dentist if the pain persists. In some cases, delaying treatment can lead to more severe damage.
Eat soft foods that won't harm your teeth. When you're experiencing tooth pain, avoid foods and drinks that could irritate the enamel, and opt for soft foods that are less likely to cause discomfort or damage.
- Foods and drinks to avoid: sour candy, bread, alcohol, soda, ice, citrus fruits, chips, and dried fruits. Many of these contain sugars and acids, which can harm the enamel and lead to further damage.
- Safe soft foods: applesauce, soft cheese, soups, oatmeal, eggs, mashed potatoes, watermelon, yogurt, fresh cheese, noodles, and rice.
Avoid speaking as much as possible. Especially if the sharp tooth is cutting your mouth, try to reduce talking to prevent further injury to the inside of your cheek. If necessary, instead of talking, you could jot down what you want to say, or even mention you're avoiding speaking to give your voice a rest.
Visit a dentist
Find a dentist near you through online search, newspapers, or by asking acquaintances for recommendations. If the pain is severe, you may need emergency dental care. Otherwise, you can locate nearby dentists through friends, family, or by searching the internet. If you know a dentist, you can call their office.
- Look for a dentist who is relatively close to you for easier access.
- If your company offers healthcare benefits, ask about which dentists are covered by your insurance.
- If you're seeking dental support in the U.S., try calling the state dental association for assistance with resources.
- Most dental offices offer free consultation appointments if you need advice.
Schedule an appointment. Make an appointment with your chosen dentist and arrive at the clinic at the scheduled time and date.
- If the pain occurs before the scheduled appointment, you may consider using dental wax or pain relievers to manage the discomfort while you wait.
Consult with the dentist and decide on a treatment method. If you're considering filing a tooth for cosmetic reasons, you can ask the dentist about teeth filing, a procedure to reshape teeth for aesthetic purposes. If the tooth is chipped, ask the dentist about the best treatment options to protect the tooth.
- The dentist might suggest options such as tooth filing, dental fillings, crowns, or implants.
- Make your decision based on the severity of the problem and the cost of the treatments recommended by the dentist.
Warning
- Enamel damage can lead to serious long-term issues, and in many cases, the best option is to visit the dentist as soon as possible. If you choose to file your tooth, be cautious and seek dental care if any problems arise.
