What to Do If You Chip or Break a Tooth
A chipped tooth can happen to anyone — biting down on something hard, a sports injury, or even grinding your teeth at night. The good news is that most chips and minor breaks can be repaired quickly. Here's exactly what to do in the first minutes and hours after it happens, and what treatment options are available.
Immediate Steps After Chipping a Tooth
Stay calm. Most chipped teeth are not medical emergencies, and there are effective repairs available for almost every situation. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area. If there's bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a piece of gauze for 10-15 minutes.
Step 2: Save the broken piece if you can find it. Place it in a small container of milk or your own saliva. While reattachment isn't always possible, it helps your dentist assess the break.
Step 3: Manage pain with over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Avoid aspirin, which can increase bleeding. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off to reduce swelling.
Step 4: Protect the tooth. If the chip left a sharp or jagged edge, cover it with sugar-free gum or dental wax (available at any pharmacy) to protect your tongue and cheeks from cuts.
Step 5: Call your dentist. Describe what happened, the size of the chip, and whether you're in pain. This helps the office determine how quickly you need to be seen.
When Is a Chipped Tooth an Emergency?
Not every chip requires an emergency visit, but certain situations need same-day attention:
See a dentist immediately if: the break is large and exposes the pink or red inner layer of the tooth (the pulp), you're in severe pain that doesn't respond to over-the-counter medication, the tooth is loose or partially dislodged, there's heavy bleeding that won't stop, or the break was caused by a blow to the face that may involve jaw injury.
Schedule within a few days if: the chip is small with smooth edges, there's no pain or only mild sensitivity, and the tooth is stable. Even small chips should be evaluated to prevent the crack from spreading.
Summit Ridge Dental offers same-day emergency appointments at all three offices. Call (480) 555-7100 and let us know it's urgent.
How Do Dentists Fix a Chipped Tooth?
The right repair depends on the size and location of the chip and whether the tooth's nerve is involved.
Dental bonding is the most common repair for small to medium chips. Your dentist applies tooth-colored composite resin directly to the chipped area, sculpts it into shape, and hardens it with a curing light. It's completed in a single visit and costs $300-$600 per tooth. Learn more about dental bonding.
Porcelain veneers are ideal for front teeth with larger chips or when you want a more permanent, stain-resistant result. A thin porcelain shell is custom-made to cover the front of the tooth. This takes two visits and costs $1,200-$2,500. Learn more about veneers.
Dental crowns are needed when the chip is large enough to compromise the tooth's structural integrity. A crown covers the entire tooth, restoring its shape and strength. CEREC same-day crowns are available at our Scottsdale and Gilbert offices. Cost: $1,000-$1,800. Learn more about dental crowns.
Root canal + crown is necessary when the break extends into the nerve (pulp) of the tooth. The damaged nerve is removed, the interior is cleaned and sealed, and a crown is placed to protect the tooth. Learn more about root canal therapy.
Extraction + implant is a last resort when the tooth is broken below the gumline or the root is fractured. In these cases, the tooth cannot be saved and the best replacement is a dental implant.
What NOT to Do With a Chipped Tooth
Avoid these common mistakes while waiting for your appointment:
Don't ignore it. Even a painless chip can develop into a crack that reaches the root. Cracks spread over time, especially with chewing forces.
Don't try to file it down yourself. Household tools can remove more enamel than necessary and create new problems. Let your dentist smooth the edge professionally.
Don't use super glue. Household adhesives are toxic and don't bond safely to tooth structure. They can also make the professional repair more difficult.
Don't chew on that side. Avoid putting any pressure on the damaged tooth until your dentist evaluates it. A chip can extend into a full crack under chewing forces.
How to Prevent Chipped Teeth
While accidents happen, these habits reduce your risk:
Wear a mouthguard during sports. Custom-fitted guards from your dentist offer far better protection than store-bought options.
Don't chew ice, pens, or hard candy. These are the most common causes of chipped teeth that we see at Summit Ridge Dental.
Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth. Grinding (bruxism) weakens enamel over time, making teeth more vulnerable to chips. Ask your dentist about a custom nightguard.
Keep up with regular checkups. Weak spots, old fillings, and early cracks can be caught and reinforced before they become chipped teeth. Schedule your cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
A small chip with no pain is not an emergency, but you should see a dentist within a few days. If the chip exposes inner tooth layers, causes severe pain, or involves significant breakage, treat it as an emergency and call right away.
No. Unlike bone, tooth enamel cannot regenerate. Even a small chip needs professional treatment to restore the tooth's shape, prevent further cracking, and protect against decay.
Dental bonding for a small chip costs $300-$600. A porcelain veneer costs $1,200-$2,500. A dental crown costs $1,000-$1,800. Your cost depends on the severity of the chip and which treatment is needed.
Save it in milk or saliva (not water). While reattachment isn't always possible, bringing it to your appointment helps your dentist assess how much tooth was lost and plan the repair.
Avoid chewing on the damaged side. Stick to soft foods and avoid extremely hot, cold, or sweet items that can trigger pain if inner tooth layers are exposed.
Chipped a Tooth? We Can Help Today.
Summit Ridge Dental offers same-day emergency appointments at all three locations. Call now and we'll get you in as quickly as possible.