A chipped tooth usually isn’t dangerous, but it should be checked by a dentist soon, even if it doesn’t hurt. Rinse your mouth, keep any broken piece in milk or saline, cover sharp edges and avoid chewing on that side. If the tooth is painful, very sensitive or you can see pink or red inside it, try to be seen the same day.
This guide covers first aid, how to judge the urgency, and the ways a broken tooth can be repaired. For other urgent problems, read what counts as a dental emergency.
What to do straight away
- Rinse gently with warm water to clear away any fragments.
- Control bleeding from the lip or gum by pressing a clean, folded cloth on the area for 15–20 minutes.
- Save the broken piece. Put it in a small container of milk or saline and bring it with you. In some cases it can be bonded back on.
- Reduce swelling with a cold pack wrapped in a cloth, held on the outside of your cheek or lip for 10–15 minutes at a time.
- Ease the pain with over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, taken as directed on the pack, if it’s safe for you.
- Protect your tongue and cheek by covering a sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax from a pharmacy.
- Book a dental visit. Until then, chew on the other side and avoid hard, sticky, very hot or very cold food.
When to go to hospital instead
A tooth that breaks in a fall or a hit to the face can come with other injuries. Call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department if there is:
- a knock to the head with loss of consciousness, vomiting or confusion
- a possible broken jaw, or your teeth suddenly don’t fit together
- bleeding that won’t stop after 15–20 minutes of firm pressure
- difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling spreading to the eye, neck or floor of the mouth
Outside business hours, healthdirect on 1800 022 222 can give 24/7 nurse advice on where to go.
How urgent is a chipped tooth?
How quickly you need care depends on how deep the break goes. Your dentist will confirm this, but the guide below can help you decide how fast to call.
Small chip in the enamel
A small piece missing from the edge, that doesn’t hurt and isn’t sensitive, only involves the hard outer layer. It isn’t usually urgent, but book in within a few days so a sharp edge doesn’t cut your tongue and the chip doesn’t spread.
Larger break with sensitivity
If a bigger piece has broken off and the tooth is sensitive to air, cold or sweet food, the softer yellowish layer underneath (dentine) is probably exposed. Try to be seen within a day or so, as exposed dentine lets bacteria move towards the nerve.
Pink or red spot, bleeding or severe pain
A pink or red dot in the broken area, or bleeding from inside the tooth, often means the nerve is exposed. This needs to be seen the same day. Call our emergency dentist in North Sydney and we aim to see urgent problems as soon as possible, often on the same day.
Loose, pushed or split tooth
If the tooth has moved, feels loose or seems split into two pieces, it also needs prompt care. A crack can run below the gum line where you can’t see it. Our article on the signs of a cracked tooth explains what to look out for.
Chipped tooth repair options
Your dentist will recommend a repair based on the size and position of the break, the health of the nerve and how you bite. Common options include:
- Smoothing and polishing. A very small chip may only need rough edges gently reshaped.
- Reattaching the fragment. If the broken piece is intact and has been kept moist, it can sometimes be bonded back into place.
- Bonding with tooth-coloured filling material. Composite resin is shaped to rebuild the missing part and matched to the colour of your tooth. It’s a common repair for front teeth and small to medium breaks. Learn more about dental fillings and restorations.
- A crown. When a large part of the tooth is missing, or a back tooth with a big old filling has broken, a crown can cover and protect what remains. See our crowns and bridges page.
- Root canal therapy. If the nerve has been exposed or damaged, it may need treatment before the tooth is rebuilt.
- Removing the tooth. If a tooth has split deep below the gum, it may not be possible to save it. Your dentist will then discuss replacement options.
Bonded repairs may chip or stain over time and can need touching up, while crowns involve removing more tooth structure. Ask your dentist about the benefits, risks and costs of each option before you decide.
What happens at your appointment
At our North Sydney practice, your dentist will ask how the tooth broke, examine it and take X-rays to check the root and surrounding bone. They may test how the nerve responds to cold. If the tooth is sore or the nerve is at risk, they may place a temporary covering first and plan the longer-term repair for another visit.
Front teeth that have been knocked can sometimes darken or become tender months later, because the nerve was bruised at the time of the injury. Keep your review appointments so any change can be picked up early.
How to protect your teeth from chips
- Wear a custom-fitted mouthguard for contact sport and training.
- Don’t chew ice, pens, bones or hard lollies, and don’t use your teeth to open packets or bottles.
- If you grind or clench your teeth, mention it at your check-up.
- Have regular check-ups so large old fillings and weak spots can be found before they break.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chipped or broken tooth heal on its own?
No. Enamel doesn’t grow back, so a chip won’t repair itself. Even a small chip is worth checking, as a sharp or weakened edge can break further or let decay in.
Is a chipped or broken tooth a dental emergency?
A small chip without pain can usually wait a few days. Severe pain, a pink or red spot in the tooth, bleeding from inside the tooth or a loose tooth should be seen the same day.
Can a broken piece of tooth be glued back on?
Sometimes. If the piece is intact and has been kept in milk or saline, your dentist may be able to bond it back. Bring it to your appointment even if you’re not sure it can be used.
Does a broken tooth always need a crown?
No. Many chips can be smoothed or repaired with tooth-coloured filling material. A crown is usually considered when a large part of the tooth is missing or the tooth is heavily filled.
Need help now?
North Sydney Dentistry is at Level 1, Suite 102/71 Walker St, North Sydney, a two-minute walk from North Sydney station. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, and keep time aside for urgent problems where we can. Call (02) 8090 1108 or book online.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your own dentist or doctor. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
