Chipped or broken tooth? What to do in the first hour

Teeth break at the worst moments — a popcorn kernel, a fall, a bite on an olive stone — and the first hour makes a real difference to what can be saved and how much it costs. Here is exactly what to do, in order.

Step 1: Rinse and look

Rinse your mouth gently with warm water. Then look, or have someone look: is there a sharp edge? Is there bleeding? Can you see a pink or red spot in the middle of the break, or a dark area? A pink or red spot means the pulp — the nerve — may be exposed, and that moves you to the “today” category.

Step 2: Save the piece

If a fragment came off, rinse it and keep it in a small container with milk or your saliva. Sometimes it can be bonded back on, which gives the most natural result.

Step 3: Control pain and swelling

Take over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the packet. Hold a cold compress against your cheek for swelling, 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off. Do not put aspirin directly on the tooth or gum — it burns the tissue. These first steps follow the American Dental Association guidance for dental emergencies: rinse with warm water, use a cold compress for swelling, and see a dentist promptly.

Step 4: Protect the edge

A sharp edge will shred your tongue and cheek by the end of the day. Cover it with sugar-free chewing gum or dental wax from any pharmacy. Avoid chewing on that side, and skip very hot, cold, hard or sticky foods.

Step 5: Call a dentist — and know how urgent it is

Same day if:

• it hurts, especially to hot, cold or biting
• you can see pink or red in the break (possible nerve exposure)
• there is bleeding from the tooth itself, or swelling
• a large piece is missing or the tooth is loose
• the tooth was knocked out entirely — that is a now emergency (see below)

Within a few days if it is a small chip with no pain and no sharp edge. Still get it checked: chips can hide cracks that get worse.

Radiant Dentistry ATX in Pflugerville keeps time each day for emergencies. Call (512) 838-⁠3888 as early as you can — or if you cannot call, use the callback form on our emergency page.

If the whole tooth came out

This is different and more urgent. Hold the tooth by the crown, not the root. Rinse it briefly without scrubbing. Put it back in the socket if you can and bite gently on gauze; if not, keep it in milk or saliva. Call immediately — the American Dental Association advises that re-implantation within about an hour gives the best chance of saving it.

How a broken tooth is repaired

Most people leave the first visit out of pain and with the tooth protected, even when the final restoration takes another appointment.

What it costs

Bonding a small chip is the least expensive repair in dentistry. A crown costs more, and most PPO plans cover it at the major-restorative level (around 50% after the deductible). Root canals are commonly covered at 50–80%. We quote every fee before we begin, and financing is available.

Preventing the next one

• Do not chew ice, hard candy or pens.
• Wear a mouthguard for contact sports and a night guard if you grind.
• Get old, large fillings checked — teeth with big fillings are the most likely to break.
• Keep your checkups: cracks are often spotted before they become breaks.