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What to Do if You Have a Broken or Chipped Tooth


Your teeth are extremely strong, but certain factors can cause them to fracture, break, or chip. A badly broken or chipped tooth can cause pain, embarrassment, and anxiety. If you know how to  manage discomfort and cosmetic issues, you can make life easier until you can see your dentist. When a dental accident like a knocked-out tooth or a bad fracture occurs, it’s imperative that you see an affordable dentist as soon as possible. Your chances of saving your tooth and reducing the chances of infection are highest if you obtain professional care within two or three hours after the accident. Options available for repairing broken or chipped teeth include dental fillings or bonding, crowns, veneers, and root canals. The enamel on the outside of your teeth protects the sensitive inner pulp that contains nerves and blood vessels. Fractured and chipped teeth can leave the pulp vulnerable. A fractured tooth may hurt when you chew, especially when the crack extends to the root. Minor fractures are common and sometimes go unnoticed if they don’t produce symptoms. Broken or chipped teeth are more serious. If a large piece of your tooth breaks off, the nerve becomes exposed, causing hot or cold foods and beverages, air, and even saliva to produce severe pain. The following six tips can help you manage the situation until you can obtain professional treatment:

  1. Gather all the broken fragments of your tooth. If you are eating when the tooth is broken, spit the contents of your mouth into a napkin, and pick out the tooth pieces. Rinse them with water, being careful not to lose them. Place a towel in the sink to prevent the fragments from going down the drain.
  2. Use sugarless gum or paraffin wax to cover any sharp tooth edges.
  3. Rinse with warm salt water to clean your mouth and help prevent infection.
  4. Apply a cold compress to your face if swelling is present.
  5. Bite down on a piece of gauze for about 10 minutes to stop bleeding.
  6. For immediate pain relief, take over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen.


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