Chipped or Broken Tooth? What to Do Next

Teeth are strong, but they can chip or break from a fall, a knock during sport, biting something hard, or simply because a tooth has been weakened by a large filling or decay. A small chip may just look rough, while a larger break can be painful and expose the inner layers of the tooth. Here’s what to do and what treatment might involve.

What to do straight away

1. Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
2. Keep any broken pieces. Put them in a clean container with milk or saliva and bring them to your appointment. Sometimes a fragment can be bonded back on.
3. Control bleeding by pressing gently with clean gauze or a damp tea bag for around 10 minutes.
4. Reduce swelling with a cold pack on the outside of your cheek, 15 minutes on and off.
5. Manage pain with over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the packet. Don’t put aspirin directly on the gum, as it can burn the tissue.
6. Protect sharp edges with a piece of sugar-free chewing gum or dental wax so they don’t cut your tongue or cheek.
7. Call your dentist to arrange an appointment.

An emergency appointment at Parramatta Dentistry is $100 for a consultation with x-rays. If you need treatment, your dentist will explain the options and fees first. Conditions apply.

How urgent is it?

Call us the same day if you have significant pain, a large break, a tooth that’s moved or loose, or you can see pink or red in the centre of the broken tooth, which may mean the nerve is exposed. Small chips with no pain are still worth checking soon, because a rough edge can crack further and a chip can expose softer dentine that decays more easily.

Go to an emergency department or call 000 if you have a facial injury with other symptoms such as a head injury, loss of consciousness, a suspected jaw fracture, heavy bleeding that won’t stop, or swelling affecting your breathing or swallowing.

If an adult tooth has been knocked out completely, hold it by the crown (not the root), rinse it briefly in milk and try to put it back in the socket, or store it in milk, and see a dentist immediately. Time matters.

Types of breaks

• Minor chip: a small piece of enamel. Often cosmetic only.
• Moderate break: involves enamel and dentine. The tooth may be sensitive to cold or sweet.
• Severe break: reaches the pulp, exposing the nerve. Usually painful and may bleed.
• Cracked tooth: a crack that may not be visible, often causing sharp pain when biting or releasing.
• Split or root fracture: a crack running down into the root. These teeth often can’t be saved.

Treatment options

Polishing or bonding

Small chips can often be smoothed, or repaired with tooth-coloured composite resin in a single visit.

Re-attaching the fragment

If you’ve kept the broken piece and it fits well, your dentist may be able to bond it back in place.

Filling or onlay

Larger breaks on back teeth may be repaired with a filling, or with an onlay made in a lab, which covers part of the chewing surface.

Crown

If a large part of the tooth is gone, or a crack needs holding together, a crown may be recommended. Crowns at Parramatta Dentistry start from $1,800 and are made in our group’s in-house ceramic lab. Conditions apply. See dental crowns.

Veneer

For front teeth, a veneer may restore appearance where bonding isn’t enough. See veneers.

Root canal treatment

If the nerve has been exposed or damaged, root canal treatment may be needed before the tooth is restored. See root canal therapy.

Extraction

If a tooth is split through the root, it may need to be removed, and your dentist will talk you through replacement options.

Preventing chipped teeth

• Wear a custom-fitted mouthguard for contact sports.
• Don’t chew ice, hard lollies, pens or fingernails.
• Don’t use your teeth to open packets or bottles.
• If you grind or clench, ask about a night guard.
• Keep up regular check-ups so weakened teeth and old fillings can be dealt with before they break.

Need help now? See our emergency dentist page or call (02) 8090 1109.

Frequently asked questions

Can a chipped tooth heal on its own?

No. Enamel doesn’t grow back. Small chips may not need treatment beyond smoothing, but it’s worth having any chip checked, as rough edges can crack further and exposed dentine can decay.

Is a chipped tooth an emergency?

It depends. A small, painless chip can usually wait for a regular appointment within a few days. Significant pain, a large break, bleeding from the centre of the tooth, or a loose or knocked-out tooth should be seen the same day.

What if a child chips a baby tooth?

Bring them in for a check. A chipped baby tooth may only need smoothing, but injuries can sometimes affect the adult tooth developing underneath. Don’t try to put a knocked-out baby tooth back in.

Can I eat with a chipped tooth?

Chew on the other side and avoid very hard, sticky, hot or cold foods until the tooth has been checked. Protect any sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax.

Will my health fund cover repairs?

Many extras policies include a benefit towards fillings, and some towards crowns under major dental. Check your cover, and we can claim on the day with HICAPS.

Book at Parramatta Dentistry

Parramatta Dentistry is at Suite 25, Level 3, 27 Hunter Street, Parramatta, a short walk from Parramatta Station. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, and HICAPS is on site, so you can claim from your health fund on the day and pay only the gap, if there is one. Call (02) 8090 1109 or book online.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personalised advice from your dentist. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.