### What to Do If You Chip or Break a Tooth Chipping or breaking a tooth can be painful, but not all cracks and chips are serious. Here’s what you should do: 1. **Rinse Your Mouth:** Use warm water to clean your mouth immediately. 2. **Stop Bleeding:** Apply pressure with a piece of gauze if there is bleeding. 3. **Reduce Swelling:** Place a cold compress on the affected area. 4. **Find the Broken Piece:** If you can find the broken piece of tooth, wrap it in wet gauze and bring it to the dentist. 5. **Tooth Knocked Out:** If the tooth is completely out, try to place it back in the socket. If it’s dirty, rinse it with water but don’t scrub it. If you can’t put it back, place it in milk, saline solution, or water and see a dentist within 30 minutes. 6. **Pain Relief:** Take over-the-counter pain relievers and apply clove oil to the area if needed. 7. **Protect Jagged Edges:** Use dental wax to cover any sharp edges to prevent injury to your mouth. 8. **Avoid Chewing:** Try not to chew on the side with the damaged tooth. ### When to See a Dentist - **Minor Chips:** May not need treatment but should still be checked by a dentist. - **Deep Cracks:** Can lead to more serious issues like infection or tooth loss and often require more extensive treatment like a root canal or crown. - **Emergency Situations:** Heavy bleeding, severe pain, or a knocked-out tooth should be addressed immediately. ### Temporary Repair Kits Temporary repair kits are available at drugstores and online. These can help protect your tooth until you can see a dentist but are not a substitute for professional care. ### Treatment Options - **Cosmetic Contouring:** For minor damage, a dentist may polish the surface or smooth jagged edges. - **Dental Bonding:** Filling in gaps and fissures with composite resin. - **Root Canal:** For deeper cracks that reach the pulp, removing the infected pulp and sealing the tooth. - **Extraction and Implants:** In severe cases, the tooth may need to be extracted and replaced with an implant. Seeing a dentist is the best way to ensure your tooth and overall health are protected.