What to Do If You Chip a Tooth

Whether it happens from biting into something hard, a fall, or an accident, chipping a tooth can be a painful surprise. Fortunately, most chipped teeth are not dental emergencies—but they do require prompt care to prevent pain, further damage, or infection. Here’s what to do immediately after chipping a tooth and how to protect your smile until you can see a dentist.

First Aid for a Chipped Tooth

1. Rinse Your Mouth

• Gently rinse with warm water to remove debris and reduce the risk of infection
• Avoid using very hot or cold water—it could worsen sensitivity

2. Check for Bleeding or Other Injuries

• If your lip, gum, or tongue was also injured, stop any bleeding with gentle pressure using gauze or a clean cloth
• Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling in the lip or cheek

3. Save Any Tooth Pieces

• If you can find the chipped fragment, rinse it gently and place it in a container with milk or saliva
• A dentist might be able to reattach it in some cases

4. Cover Sharp Edges

• If the chipped area has a sharp edge irritating your cheek or tongue, cover it with sugarless gum, dental wax, or a piece of gauze
• This protects soft tissue until dental care is available

5. Take Pain Relievers If Needed

• Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for discomfort
• Avoid aspirin, especially if there’s bleeding

What to Avoid

• ❌ Don’t chew on the injured side of your mouth
• ❌ Don’t eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods
• ❌ Avoid very hot or cold drinks if your tooth feels sensitive
• ❌ Don’t file or sand down the tooth yourself—this can make things worse

When to See a Dentist or Urgent Care

Call your dentist as soon as possible, especially if:

• The chip is large, painful, or jagged
• There is bleeding from the tooth itself
• You see a pink or red center—this could mean the nerve is exposed
• You feel pain when biting, chewing, or drinking
• The tooth feels loose, cracked further, or shifts in position
• You develop swelling or signs of infection around the gums

If your dentist isn’t available and you have severe pain, visible nerve exposure, or injury to the face, visit urgent care or an emergency dental clinic.

Treatment Options Your Dentist May Recommend

• Smoothing or polishing for tiny chips
• Dental bonding or filling for small-to-medium chips
• Veneers or crowns for larger chips or visible front teeth
• Root canal if the pulp is exposed
• Tooth replacement if the damage is severe or the tooth breaks entirely

If symptoms get worse or don’t improve, visit your local urgent care provider for professional evaluation.
Hey Did You Know We Have an IV Therapy Spa Inside? Check out our drip menu!