Chipped or Broken Tooth? What to Do Right Now

What Should You Do Straight Away?

A chipped or broken tooth can be a shock, but staying calm and acting quickly can make it easier for your dentist to repair. Follow these steps as soon as you can:

• Rinse gently: Swish warm water around your mouth to clear away any debris.
• Keep any pieces: Place broken fragments in a small container of milk or wrap them in clean, damp gauze and bring them with you.
• Stop any bleeding: Press clean gauze or a damp tea bag on the area for about 10 minutes.
• Reduce swelling: Hold a cold pack wrapped in a cloth against your cheek, 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off.
• Manage pain: Over-the-counter pain relief may help. Follow the packet directions and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure what is right for you.
• Protect the tooth: Chew on the other side and avoid very hot, cold or sugary food. A sharp edge can be covered with sugar-free gum or dental wax from the chemist.

Even a small chip is worth checking, as cracks are not always visible to the eye.

Is a Chipped or Broken Tooth an Emergency?

Not every chipped tooth needs same-day care, but some situations do. Use the guide below to decide who to call and how soon.

1. Call 000 or Go to Hospital Emergency

Seek urgent medical help if you have swelling spreading towards your eye, jaw or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, facial swelling with a fever, bleeding that will not stop, or a head injury or possible broken jaw.

2. Call a Dentist the Same Day

Contact an emergency dentist in Ivanhoe the same day if an adult tooth has been knocked out, a large piece has broken off, you can see a pink or red spot in the tooth, you have strong or throbbing pain, or your gum is swollen near the tooth.

3. Book an Appointment Within a Few Days

If the chip is small, there is no pain and the tooth only feels rough or sharp, it is usually fine to book a regular appointment soon.

What If an Adult Tooth Is Knocked Out?

Time matters most when a tooth is knocked out completely. The sooner a dentist sees you, the better the chance of saving the tooth.

• Hold it by the crown: Pick the tooth up by the white part you normally see and avoid touching the root.
• Rinse briefly if dirty: Use milk or saline and do not scrub it.
• Put it back if you can: Gently push it into the socket and bite softly on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
• Otherwise, keep it in milk: Store it in milk until you reach the dentist.
• Get help quickly: See a dentist straight away, ideally within 30 minutes.

Baby teeth are different. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back in, as this may damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Keep the tooth and call the practice so your child can be checked.

What Are the Different Types of Chips and Breaks?

Teeth can be damaged in different ways, and the type of break affects how it is treated.

• Small enamel chip: Only the hard outer layer is affected. This is usually not painful.
• Deeper break: The layer under the enamel, called dentine, is exposed. The tooth may feel sensitive to hot and cold.
• Break near the nerve: Often painful, and a pink or red spot may be visible. This needs prompt care.
• Cracked tooth: You may feel a sharp pain when biting down or releasing. Cracks can be hard to spot without an examination.
• Broken cusp: One of the pointed chewing surfaces of a back tooth has broken, often around an old filling.

How Can a Dentist Repair a Chipped Tooth?

Your dentist will examine the tooth and may take an x-ray before recommending treatment. Options and costs are explained before any treatment begins. Depending on the damage, treatment may include:

• Smoothing: A very small chip can sometimes be polished smooth.
• Tooth-coloured filling or bonding: A resin material is shaped to rebuild the tooth. Learn more about dental fillings.
• Crown: A cap that covers and protects a tooth with a larger break. Learn more about crowns and bridges.
• Root canal treatment: If the nerve is damaged or infected, root canal treatment may allow the tooth to be kept.
• Removing the tooth: Only when a tooth cannot be saved. Your dentist can discuss replacement options such as dental implants or a bridge.

Enamel does not grow back, and cracks can slowly spread over time. Having a damaged tooth checked early often means simpler treatment.

How Can You Protect Your Teeth From Damage?

Some simple habits can lower the risk of chipping or breaking a tooth:

• Wear a custom-fitted mouthguard for contact sports.
• Ask about a night splint if you grind or clench your teeth while sleeping.
• Avoid chewing ice, pens or hard lollies, and do not open packets with your teeth.
• Keep up regular check-ups and cleans so weak spots and old fillings can be monitored.

Getting Help for a Broken Tooth at Smile Connections

Smile Connections is a dentist in Ivanhoe located at 114 Waterdale Road. The practice sets aside time each day for urgent appointments, so patients with dental pain or a damaged tooth can be seen as soon as possible.

If you have chipped, cracked or broken a tooth, call (03) 9499 1130 and the team will help find the earliest available appointment. You can also visit the emergency dentistry page to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions