Chipped or broken a tooth? Here's what to do right away, how to save the broken piece and the treatments that can repair and save your tooth.
Biting into something hard, a fall, a sports injury or an old large filling can all lead to a broken or chipped tooth. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of saving it.
What to Do Right Away
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
- Save any broken pieces. Keep them in milk or your own saliva, not in tissue paper or water.
- Control bleeding by pressing gently with clean gauze.
- Reduce swelling with a cold compress on the cheek.
- Cover sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax to protect your tongue and cheeks.
- See a dentist as soon as possible, ideally the same day.
What Not to Do
- Don't chew on the broken tooth
- Don't ignore it just because it doesn't hurt; cracks can spread
- Don't try to glue the piece back yourself
Treatment Options
The right treatment depends on how much of the tooth is broken and whether the nerve is affected.
- Small chip: Smoothed or repaired with tooth-coloured bonding in one visit
- Broken fragment: Sometimes it can be bonded back if you bring it quickly
- Larger break: Restored with an onlay or a crown (tooth cap)
- Nerve exposed or infected: Root canal treatment followed by a crown
- Split to the root: The tooth may need extraction and replacement with an implant or bridge
Signs of a Cracked Tooth
Not all cracks are visible. Watch for sharp pain when biting or releasing a bite, or sensitivity to hot and cold in one tooth. A dentist can find hidden cracks with a careful exam and X-ray.
Preventing Broken Teeth
- Wear a mouthguard during sports
- Avoid chewing ice, hard candy and pen caps
- Get a night guard if you grind your teeth
- Replace old, large fillings before they fail
Related treatment: read more about Cracked & Fractured Tooth Treatment in Mohali at Urja Dental Clinic.
Book a Visit at Urja Dental Clinic, Mohali
If you have any of these concerns, book a consultation at Urja Dental Clinic, S.S.S. (Bay Shop) 74, Sector 60, Phase 3B2, Mohali. We are easy to reach from Phase 3B1, Phase 5, Phase 7, Kharar and Chandigarh. Call +91 86999 69619 or +91 78890 93147, or book online.
