Chipped a Tooth? What to Do Right Now

A chipped tooth can happen to anyone: biting into something hard, a ball to the face during a pickup game, or years of grinding at night. The good news is that most chipped teeth can be repaired quickly and comfortably. What you do in the first hour makes the repair easier.

First aid in the first hour

• Rinse gently with warm water to clear away debris.
• Save the piece if you can find it. Keep it in a clean container with milk or a little saliva. Your dentist may be able to bond it back in place.
• Control swelling with a cold compress on the outside of your cheek, 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off.
• Protect your mouth. If the chip left a sharp edge, cover it with dental wax or a piece of sugar-free gum so it doesn't cut your tongue or cheek.
• Chew on the other side until the tooth has been checked.

Over-the-counter pain relievers taken as directed on the label can help with soreness. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gum; it can irritate the tissue.

When a chip is an emergency

Not every chip needs a same-day visit, but some do. Call your dentist right away if:

• You have significant or throbbing pain.
• The break is large enough that you can see pink or red inside the tooth, which can mean the nerve is exposed.
• The tooth feels loose or has shifted.
• Your gums or face are swelling.

These signs can point to a deeper fracture or nerve involvement, and early treatment protects the tooth. Our emergency dental care page explains how we triage urgent problems.

For a small chip with no pain, such as a tiny piece off the edge, a regular appointment within a few days is usually fine.

How dentists repair chipped teeth

The right repair depends on the size and location of the chip:

• Bonding uses tooth-colored composite resin to rebuild the missing shape. It's the most common fix for small to moderate chips on front teeth and is often done in a single visit.
• A crown covers the whole visible part of the tooth. It's the better choice for larger breaks or for back teeth that take heavy chewing force. Learn more on our restorative dentistry page.
• A veneer is a thin shell bonded to the front of a tooth. It can repair a chip and improve the tooth's overall appearance at the same time; see cosmetic dentistry.
• A root canal may be needed first if the break has reached the pulp. It's less common with simple chips, but it's the step that saves the tooth when the nerve is involved. Our guide to what to expect from a root canal walks through it.

Your dentist will usually take an X-ray to check for cracks below the gum line that you can't see in the mirror.

How to prevent the next chip

• Wear a mouthguard for sports, including basketball, soccer and cycling.
• If you clench or grind at night, ask about a custom night guard.
• Don't use your teeth as tools to open packages or bottles.
• Be careful with ice, hard candy and unpopped popcorn kernels.

Get it checked

A chipped tooth rarely gets better on its own, and a small chip can grow into a larger crack. If you chip a tooth in the Fairfax area, call Zen Family Dental at (703) 385-2772. We offer same-day attention for dental emergencies whenever possible, Tuesday through Friday. After hours, leave a message and we'll call you back. You can also request an appointment online.