Reviewed by Dr Belinda Chen, October 2026
Broken or Chipped Tooth: What to Do Right Now and How It May Be Fixed
If you have a broken or chipped tooth, the first steps are simple: rinse your mouth gently with warm water, save any pieces you can find, and book a dental appointment promptly. A small chip with no pain can usually wait a few days, but a tooth that is painful, bleeding, sharp, or broken after a blow to the face should be seen the same day if possible.
At Wollongong Dental we see chips from biting olive pips and ice, fractures around old fillings, cracks from grinding, and sports injuries from the footy fields and surf breaks across the Illawarra. Here is what to do and what to expect.
First steps after breaking or chipping a tooth
Try not to panic. Most broken teeth can be treated.
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clear any debris
- Save the pieces if you can find them, and keep them moist in a little milk or saliva in a sealed container. They may or may not be usable, but bring them along
- Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a damp cloth if the gum is bleeding
- Cover sharp edges with sugar-free chewing gum or orthodontic wax from a pharmacy to protect your tongue and cheek
- Use a cold pack on the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling
- Take over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the packet if you are sore
Avoid very hot, cold, hard or sticky foods, and chew on the other side of your mouth until you have been seen.
Symptoms that mean you should be seen urgently
Some broken teeth are more than cosmetic. Contact our Wollongong practice as soon as possible if you have:
- Sharp or throbbing pain, or pain when you bite
- A visible pink or red spot in the middle of the break, which can mean the nerve is exposed
- A tooth that feels loose or has moved position
- Bleeding that does not stop with pressure
- A large piece of the tooth missing
If the injury involved a knock to the head, loss of consciousness, confusion, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or rapidly spreading facial swelling, call 000 or go to an emergency department first. The tooth can be dealt with once you are safe see our guide to toothache emergencies.
Children’s teeth need slightly different handling, particularly baby teeth, which are never replanted read what to do when a child damages a tooth.
How a broken tooth is assessed
At your appointment we will ask how the break happened, examine the tooth and surrounding gum, and check your bite. An X-ray may be recommended following assessment to look for cracks below the gum line, damage to the root, or injury to neighbouring teeth that is not visible from the surface.
We may also test how the tooth responds to cold and gentle pressure, which helps show whether the nerve has been affected.
Treatment options that may be suggested
The right repair depends on how much tooth is missing, whether the nerve is involved, and where the tooth sits in your mouth. Common options include:
- Smoothing and polishing for a tiny chip with no other damage
- Bonding with a tooth-coloured filling material to rebuild a small to moderate chip, often in a single visit
- A crown or onlay to cover and protect a tooth that has lost a larger amount of structure or has an old filling that has broken
- Root canal treatment if the nerve has been exposed or has become inflamed or infected, usually followed by a crown
- Extraction where the break runs below the gum or through the root and the tooth cannot reasonably be saved, with a discussion about replacement later
Sometimes a temporary repair is placed first while the tooth settles, and a final decision is made after a few weeks. Every case is different, and we can only recommend a treatment after an examination see our guide to root canal versus extraction.
When should you see a dentist?
Have every chipped or broken tooth checked, even a small one that does not hurt. A chip can leave a weak edge that fractures further, trap plaque, or hide a crack that spreads with each bite.
If the tooth is painful, sensitive, loose or sharp, call the same day. If you are looking for a dentist in Wollongong, our Crown Street practice is in the city centre, close to North Wollongong and Fairy Meadow. Let the team know it is a broken tooth when you call so we can plan enough time.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chipped tooth wait a few days?
A small chip with no pain and no sharp edge can usually wait for the next available appointment. Pain, sensitivity, bleeding or a loose tooth mean you should be seen sooner.
Will a chipped tooth grow back or heal itself?
No. Tooth enamel does not regrow, so a chip stays until it is repaired. The tooth may feel fine, but the missing structure can leave it weaker than before.
Should I keep the broken piece of my tooth?
Yes, if you can find it. Keep it moist in milk or saliva and bring it to your appointment. In some cases the fragment may be reattached, though often a filling or crown is a more reliable repair.
Is a broken tooth a dental emergency?
It can be. Severe pain, an exposed nerve, heavy bleeding or a tooth that has moved position need same-day care. Head injury, breathing difficulty or spreading swelling need 000 or hospital.
Book an appointment
If you have chipped or broken a tooth, do not wait for it to become painful. Book online or call our Wollongong practice, tell us what has happened, and we will arrange the earliest suitable time to assess and repair it. Book Online Today!