Broken or chipped tooth — what to do now

What to do right now

1. Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clear away blood and small pieces.
2. If you can find the broken piece, save it in a clean container and bring it to the dentist.
3. If there is bleeding, press clean gauze or a clean cloth on the area.
4. Put a cold compress on the outside of your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
5. If the tooth has a sharp edge, cover it with sugar-free gum or dental wax if you have it.
6. Use over-the-counter pain relief only as directed on the label.
7. Eat soft foods. Avoid very hot, very cold, hard, or crunchy foods on that side.
8. See a licensed dentist as soon as you can. If you need help finding one, use same-day emergency dentist help or get matched.

SteadyTooth is not a dentist or clinic. We share general information only and help connect you with local dental offices.

If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or bleeding that will not stop, call 911 or go to the ER right away.

When a broken or chipped tooth is an emergency

Some chips are small and not very painful. Others expose the inside of the tooth and need urgent care. In general, the more pain, bleeding, swelling, or missing tooth structure you have, the faster you should be seen.

Try to get urgent dental care the same day if the tooth hurts a lot, feels loose, has a large piece missing, looks cracked deep into the tooth, or the broken edge is cutting your tongue or cheek.

A small chip with no pain may be able to wait a little, but it is still smart to have a dentist check it soon. A tooth can look minor on the outside and still have a deeper crack.

This page is general information only. A licensed dentist needs to examine the tooth to say what is going on and what treatment may be needed.

Signs you should not wait

Get urgent dental help if you have strong pain when you bite down, sensitivity that does not settle, visible yellow or pink inside the tooth, or a tooth that suddenly feels rough, weak, or split.

You should also move quickly if the tooth broke after a fall, sports hit, or car crash. Injuries like that can affect the root, nearby teeth, jaw, or gums too.

Go to the ER or call 911 for true emergencies: trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or uncontrolled bleeding.

If you are not sure how serious it is, you can start with our symptom help hub and then get matched for local care. Contact details only — no medical information needed.

How to find care fast

If you think the tooth may need urgent treatment, contact a licensed dentist as soon as possible. Many offices keep time open for urgent visits, and some offer evening or after-hours help.

SteadyTooth is a free service for people in the United States, especially if English is not your first language and you want help finding a dentist nearby. We are not a provider, and we do not diagnose or treat.

When you use get matched, we ask for contact details only — no medical information needed. That means your name, phone, city or ZIP, how soon you want to be seen, and your preferred language.

You can also learn more about same-day emergency dentist options. Availability varies by office, day, and location, so no service can promise a specific dentist or appointment time.

What treatment might be needed

Treatment depends on how much of the tooth broke and whether the nerve or root is involved. A dentist may smooth a rough edge, place a filling or bonding material, use a crown, or recommend other care.

If the damage is deeper, the tooth may need more than a simple repair. That is one reason it is worth getting checked even if the chip seems small.

Until you are seen, try not to chew on that side. Keep the area clean with gentle rinsing and stick with soft foods.

Only a licensed dentist who examines you can tell what treatment is appropriate.

What it may cost

Costs vary a lot by the type of break, the treatment needed, the dentist, and your city. A minor smoothing or simple repair may cost less than a crown or more involved treatment.

If you are paying out of pocket, it is reasonable to ask for a price range before you go in. You can start with our dental emergency cost guide, but exact costs vary by case.

Dental coverage is different from medical coverage, and rules vary by state. If you have insurance, ask the office what they can estimate before treatment begins.

Using SteadyTooth is always free for the reader.