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General Dentistry

Chipped or Broken Tooth? Here's Exactly What to Do

Step-by-step guide to handling a dental emergency at home.

6 min readDecember 18, 2025Updated March 29, 2026Dr. Sahil Patel, DDS

First Things First: Stay Calm

You bit down on something hard, took an elbow playing sports, or had an accident — and now you have a broken tooth. It's scary, but the good news is that modern dentistry can repair most broken teeth. Here's exactly what to do.

1

Rinse Your Mouth

Use warm water to gently rinse away blood and debris. Don't swish vigorously.

2

Save Any Pieces

If possible, save any tooth fragments. Place them in milk or saliva — never water.

3

Control Bleeding

Apply gentle pressure with gauze or a clean cloth for 10-15 minutes.

4

Reduce Swelling

Apply a cold compress to your cheek — 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off.

⚠️Do NOT

Don't use aspirin (it can increase bleeding). Don't eat hard or crunchy foods. Don't ignore the break — even small chips can lead to bigger problems.

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Dr. Sahil Patel, DDS

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Sahil Patel, DDS

General Dentist

Compassionate dentist focused on preventive care and patient education.

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