Guide
What to do if you chip or crack a tooth
Most chips and cracks can be repaired, and the sooner we see the tooth, the more options you have. Here's what to do in the meantime.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Rodolfo Rodriguez, DMD · Updated
Right away
- Rinse your mouth with warm water
- Save any piece of tooth in milk or in a little saliva, and bring it with you
- Hold a cold pack on your cheek if there's swelling
- Cover a sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax
- Call us to be seen
When it's urgent
- The tooth hurts on its own, or with hot or cold
- You can see pink or red in the broken area — the nerve may be exposed
- A large piece broke off
- The tooth is loose or out of place after an injury
On Friday evenings and weekends, Perla After Hours can see you by appointment. If you hit your head, or have trouble breathing, go to the emergency room first.
How it can be repaired
- Bonding. Tooth-colored resin rebuilds a small chip, usually in one visit.
- A veneer. For a front tooth with a larger chip, a porcelain veneer restores the shape.
- A crown. For a cracked or badly broken tooth, a crown holds it together.
- A root canal. If the crack reaches the nerve, root canal treatment may be needed before the crown.
Preventing it
- Don't chew ice, pens or hard candy
- Don't use your teeth to open things
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
FAQs
Can a chipped tooth heal on its own?
No. Enamel doesn't grow back, but small chips are easy to repair.
Is a chipped tooth an emergency?
Not usually, unless it hurts, the nerve is exposed or a large piece broke off. Call us and we'll tell you how soon to come in.
Related
Start with a conversation.
Tell us what's going on, in English or Spanish. We'll take it from there.