What to Do When You Chip a Tooth

There are some things you can do at home to reduce the risk of complications and pain when your teeth start chipping. The first thing you should do is rinse your mouth out with warm salt water. This will relieve any pain and help prevent any infection. If you notice any bleeding, you’ll want to apply pressure and clean gauze.


You should also place an ice pack on your face to reduce swelling. Until you can see your dentist you should only consume liquids and soft foods. Place some sugarless gum or dental wax over any sharp areas to protect your tongue and cheeks. You can also take an over-the-counter pain medication if needed, but usually you won’t need one.

What We Will Do for a Chipped Tooth

When you break your tooth and you have the pieces, bring them with you to our office for your appointment. We may be able to repair it for you. If the damage is too extensive we may need to do a root canal to clean out the inside of your tooth before sealing the area. However, with a small, superficial chip, it’s easy to polish and smooth out the jagged edges.


For a molar we’ll simply fill it, but a bond may be a better solution if it’s one of your front teeth. Extensive damage will require a crown or a cap, so you don’t damage your teeth even further. In any case, we can help you with a chipped tooth.