You bite into something and feel a rough edge where there was not one before. Or you catch a fall and your tooth takes the impact. A chipped or broken tooth is one of the most common dental injuries, and the good news is that most of the time it is very fixable. The question is what to do in the first few minutes, and how to tell whether it is a same-day problem or something that can wait for a routine appointment.
First, What Kind of Damage Are You Dealing With?
Not all chips are the same, and the right response depends on how deep the damage goes.
A small surface chip. This is minor damage to the enamel, the hard outer layer of the tooth. It often looks worse than it is. If there is no pain and no sensitivity, this can usually wait for a routine appointment, though it is still worth getting checked and smoothed so it does not catch on your tongue or cheek.
A larger chip or crack that exposes the dentine. Dentine is the layer beneath the enamel, and it is more sensitive. If you notice sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet food after chipping a tooth, the dentine is likely exposed. This needs attention within a few days to prevent decay or infection setting in.
A break that exposes the pulp. The pulp is the innermost layer containing the nerve and blood supply. If the break is deep enough to reach it, you will usually know, because the pain is sharp and immediate, and you may see a small pink or reddish area at the centre of the break. This is a same-day emergency. Exposed pulp is vulnerable to infection.
A tooth cracked in half with no pain. This one catches people out. It is possible to crack a tooth badly and feel very little, especially if the crack runs vertically and the nerve is not immediately affected. Do not take the absence of pain as a sign it is fine. A cracked tooth with no pain today can develop into a painful infection weeks later once bacteria find their way in. Get it looked at regardless of how it feels.
What to Do in the First Few Minutes
Whether the damage is minor or significant, a few steps help in the immediate aftermath:
Rinse your mouth with warm water. This clears away any blood or debris and lets you see the damage more clearly.
Save any broken pieces. If a fragment of tooth has come away, keep it in a small container with a little milk or your own saliva. In some cases, a dentist can bond the piece back onto the tooth, which gives the most natural-looking result.
Cover sharp edges. A chip often leaves a jagged edge that cuts the inside of your cheek or tongue. A small piece of sugar-free chewing gum or dental wax pressed over the edge protects the soft tissue until you can see a dentist.
Apply a cold compress if there is swelling. Especially relevant if the chip came from an impact or fall. Ice wrapped in a cloth against the outside of your cheek, 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off, helps limit swelling.
Take painkillers if needed. Ibuprofen is generally the most effective option for dental pain because it reduces inflammation as well as pain. Follow the dosage instructions on the packet.
Avoid chewing on the affected side and skip very hot, cold, or hard food until you have been seen.
How Dentists Actually Repair a Chipped or Broken Tooth
The treatment depends on how much of the tooth is affected.
Smoothing and polishing. For very minor chips that do not affect the tooth’s structure or appearance significantly, the dentist may simply smooth the rough edge. Quick, painless, and often done in a single short appointment.
Composite bonding. This is the most common repair for a moderate chip. The dentist applies a tooth-coloured resin to the damaged area, shapes it to match the natural tooth, and hardens it with a curing light. It typically takes one visit, requires no anaesthetic in most cases, and blends in well with the surrounding tooth. Bonding usually lasts several years before it may need touching up.
A dental crown. If a large portion of the tooth is broken or the remaining structure is weak, a crown covers and protects the whole visible part of the tooth. This is more involved than bonding and is typically used for back teeth that take heavy biting force, or where a large amount of the tooth is missing.
Root canal treatment. If the break has exposed the nerve, root canal treatment removes the damaged pulp, cleans the canal, and seals it before the tooth is restored with a filling or crown. This is more involved but saves teeth that would otherwise need extraction.
Reattaching a broken piece. If you kept the broken fragment and it is in good condition, a dentist can sometimes bond it directly back onto the tooth. This gives the most natural match, which is why saving the piece is worth doing even if it seems unlikely to help.
Extraction (rare, last resort). If a tooth is cracked all the way through the root or too badly damaged to restore, extraction may be the only option, followed by a bridge, implant, or denture to replace it.
Why “It Doesn’t Hurt” Is Not a Reason to Wait
This is worth repeating because it catches so many people out. A tooth can be significantly cracked or chipped and still not hurt, particularly in the first few days. Pain often only appears once bacteria have had time to get into the crack and cause inflammation or infection, by which point the treatment needed is more involved than it would have been if you had come in straight away.
If you have a visible chip or crack, even one that feels fine, it is worth a same-day check rather than waiting to see if it starts hurting. Sheffield has a lot of active, outdoor, sporty people, and a knock during five-a-side, a fall while cycling, or an accidental bite on something hard are all common ways this kind of damage happens without warning.
When It Is a Same-Day Emergency
Go and get seen the same day if you have any of the following: sharp, ongoing pain from the tooth; visible pink or red tissue at the centre of the break (possible pulp exposure); a large piece of tooth missing; a sharp edge that is cutting your cheek or tongue and will not stop; or the injury came from a fall or impact and you are also concerned about your jaw.
Facial swelling that is affecting your breathing or swallowing is a medical emergency, not a dental one. In that case, go straight to A&E at Northern General Hospital (Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU) rather than a dentist.
Why Choose Night and Day Emergency Dentist in Sheffield?
If you have chipped or broken a tooth, Night and Day Emergency Dentist Sheffield can see you the same day. The clinic is at 204-208 Infirmary Road, Sheffield, S6 3DJ, close to Kelham Island. An emergency consultation costs £30 and includes the examination and any X-rays needed to assess the damage. No registration is required and walk-ins are welcome.
The Infirmary Road tram stop, served by both the Blue and Yellow Supertram lines, is about two minutes from the door. The clinic is open 7am to 10pm every day, including weekends and bank holidays, and you can call 07928 577 277 or book online.
Patients visit from across Sheffield, including Hillsborough, Walkley, Crookes, Shalesmoor, Neepsend, Owlerton, Netherthorpe, Broomhill, Malin Bridge, Stannington, and the city centre.