Broken Tooth First Aid: What to Do Before You See a Dentist

A broken, chipped, or cracked tooth can happen suddenly - biting into something hard, a sports impact, or even a yawn at the wrong moment. While you should always see an emergency dentist as soon as possible, here is what to do in the first hour.

First, rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area.

If there is bleeding from the gum, apply gentle pressure with a piece of clean gauze or a clean cloth for 10 minutes.

Collect any tooth fragments if possible and store them in milk or saline. In some cases, broken pieces can be bonded back onto the tooth.

Apply a cold pack to the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling - 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off.

Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed (ibuprofen or paracetamol).

If the fracture has exposed the pulp (you can see a pink or red area, or the pain is very severe), this is a dental emergency requiring immediate treatment. The exposed pulp can become infected quickly.

Avoid very hot, very cold, or very sweet foods and drinks on the affected tooth.

Do not try to fix a broken tooth with superglue or dental cement from the pharmacy - these are temporary solutions at best and can complicate proper treatment.

Contact us immediately for same-day treatment. Broken tooth repair, temporary crown placement, and bonding can all be done in a single appointment.