Toddler Chipped Tooth - Any Action? Agony BFing. Calling Dentists!

[JonSnowPatrol]

DD (2) chipped one of her top incisors yesterday.

I took her straight to the dentist who said it was only a tiny bit wobbly, but to go back in two weeks for a checkup, and to only give her soft foods til then.
I'm BFing her and the jagged edges are really hurting me. I'm very sore and getting more sore. I do not wish to stop BFing yet. She certainly doesn't.
I'd like to know if I can hope they will become less jagged on their own, and if so, when? And if not, if there is anything a dentist would do (file?).
Any other words of wisdom?
I'm really gutted about her poor little tooth.
DD seem fine, thank goodness.
Thanks.

I doubt that they'd file it but they would maybe add a bit of white filling to smooth it off? It will naturally wear down especially as it's a milk tooth, but I guess how quickly will depend on what she eats.

I didn't even think that would be an option for such a young child.

You can get emergency filling stuff from Boots but I don't know if it's suitable for little ones

DS had a repair done but he was 10 and it was an adult tooth. He did damage them when he was about your DDs age but it was internally and they bled inside and went grey for a while. he didn't chip those, he waited for his nice white shiny adult ones to crack them.

Thanks for responses.
I'm glad it wasn't her adult teeth. Must be grateful.

Dentist here They could either polish it smooth or add some white filling material. It depends on DDs cooperation, I have done both on 18months+ kids, if they can stay still!
Did you tell the dentist about breastfeeding pain? They might not have realised it would be a problem and only worried about DD's mouth not you.

If it was my little one, and I couldn't get it sorted properly, I would smooth it with a nail file in the meantime to try and give you some relief. Maybe when she's sleeping? Just a little with a fine file should take the sharpness off and save your nipple!

Could you get some wax, like the stuff they use on fixed braces, and just smooth some round her took for when she's BF? I think you can get some in boots, if not, I'm sure a dentist would be happy to oblige.

Thanks so much, Dentist Sandwich!
I took her to the dentist 20 minutes after it had happened and no, I hadn't mentioned BFing as I'd only given her a quick soothing feed and was focused on her. I was so worried about DD and her tooth/teeth, still am (that it will go black/fall out yet).
DD is not very cooperative at the dentist, but I'd be keen to try have them polish it a bit if possible, or fill. Any recommendation to which is best, and why?
I'll buy a file over the weekend if need be, and maybe call for an appointment on Monday if we are struggling. Thanks so much for letting me know we have options.

I don't know what stuff you mean, Sprinkle, but I'll look into it if need be, thank you.

This stuff:

Thank you!

Looking at this from another angle, could you try changing bf positions or working on her latch? She might figure it out herself and may just be holding her mouth a little differently if it's sore/feels different, but maybe try going back to basics with her latch or try a different position so her tooth rests in a different place, iyswim.

Can't they add some filling material? I chipped my tooth when I was younger (adult) and they have added filling material - it looks normal.

Tuck, I have tried but I think my nipple is catching in the middle of her top incisors and I can't see how to prevent that. I very much appreciate your thinking outside the box though!

Owl, I had a tiny chip filled too but it kept coming off. Eventually they filed it just a tiny bit and I think it's good now. But yes - if I do go back before two weeks I'll see what they suggest. I don't really want to keep taking her back, ideally.

That's unfortunate, mine lasted 10 years! I had a new bit put on and so far, so good.

Yeah, don't know why mine didn't take.

It depends very much what she'll let them do. Ideally, building it back up to tooth shape, but realistically a quick smooth over is probably the best you'll get. Especially as she isn't confident at the dentist, very few 2yr olds are!
I wouldn't bother trying the home temporary filling kits, theyre fiddly at the best of times, let alone on a wriggly toddler!
Plus, they're designed for 'holes', the edge of a tooth won't have anything to retain the filling (needs to be wider at the bottom than the top hole-wise if that makes sense!)

What about a nipple shield, haven't ever used one myself, but would that give you some protection?

Nail file 😱😱😱

Thanks, sandwich. I can't see her sitting for long or letting them do much - she's only just two, too. :( It's such a tiny chip - any chance it will self-smooth?
I'd really rather not do anything myself - don't want to do more harm than good.
I think zero chance she'll permit a nipple shield.

I agree with Sandwich that using a nipple shield might be the best option for you. Trying to smooth it on a two year old would be a bit risky inmho. Tooth enamel is very hard, so things the dentist would use to smooth the tooth are also sharp/rotating very fast in the hand piece. Think using a dental hand piece would be a bit risky on a little one of two - risk of a cut to the lip or tongue. A very simple type of white filling material could potentially be used, but may well keep coming off 😕.

Cross posting. It will probably smooth a bit eventually, but will take time. The nailfile suggestion is a reasonable one. Feel for you, you must be very upset 😕

Thanks, HoneyBea, I really am. I feel I should have just wrapped her in cotton wool til she was 100! I am utterly gutted, though I am trying to remind myself there are far worse things and really we are lucky this is all we've had to contend with.

Is there any risk of damage to her chipped tooth now there is an opening in the enamel?

The vast majority of the time a chip like that would be absolutely fine as the layer underneath the enamel can protect itself (to a certain extent). Just in case though, things to look out for are if the tooth begins to look a slightly different colour to the ones next door, if it gets more wobbly or if you notice a little lump on the gum next to the tooth or if it becomes a bit sore. If you notice any of those then would go back to the dentist to have it checked over again. Try not to worry yourself though, it does look like a small chip. As a side note it's common for a banged tooth to be a bit wobbly at first and then should firm up. It will get wobbly naturally about age 7 when the adult tooth begins to come through ☺️

Thanks so much for info. Appreciated.

BFing was painful all night, think if it doesn't improve by Monday I'll try and get her an appointment. I know she will not sit well for the dentist though - do I have any options? I don't want to hold her down really, but unless my nipple toughens up, I don't see how we can carry on! And yes, just one nipple - she only feeds from one side, so I get no respite. Would/could a dentist not perform a filling/filing on a held down toddler?