I have broken or chipped a tooth. Is it an emergency?

A small chip with no pain is usually not an emergency and can wait for a routine appointment. A break that is painful, has a sharp edge, exposes the inner tooth, or comes with bleeding or swelling needs a dentist the same day. Keep any broken piece and store it in milk or your own saliva.

In short

• A small, painless chip can usually wait for a routine appointment, although it is worth a call to check.
• A break that is painful, sharp-edged, or exposes the inner part of the tooth needs a dentist the same day.
• If you can find the broken piece, keep it moist in milk or your own saliva and take it with you.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water and use a cold compress against the outside of your face to reduce swelling.
• Bleeding that will not stop, or swelling spreading towards the eye or neck, needs a hospital emergency unit.

This article is part of the dental emergency guidance on this site for patients in Cape Town.

How do I know if it is urgent?

There are different degrees of tooth fracture. A minor chip, with no pain and a smooth edge, is generally not urgent and can be smoothed or built up with a filling at a routine appointment. A more significant break is more urgent if it is painful, if it has left a sharp edge that is cutting your tongue or cheek, if you can see a pink or bleeding centre in the tooth, or if a large piece is missing and the tooth feels loose or sensitive. A severe break can mean the tooth cannot be saved, and only an examination can tell.

What should I do right now?

Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area. If you can find the broken piece, keep it moist by placing it in milk or your own saliva, and bring it with you, since your dentist may be able to reattach it. Hold a cold compress against the outside of your face to help limit swelling, and avoid chewing on the affected side until you have been seen. Contact a dentist as soon as you can to arrange a same-day appointment if the break is painful or sharp.

What about pain relief?

Over-the-counter pain relief can help while you wait to be seen. SADA’s own patient guidance recommends ibuprofen rather than aspirin for pain from a broken tooth. Always follow the instructions on the packet and ask a pharmacist if you are not sure what is right for you. Never place a painkiller such as aspirin directly against the tooth or gum, since this does not relieve the pain and can burn the gum tissue.

When should I go to a hospital emergency unit instead of a dentist?

Go to a hospital emergency unit, not a dentist, if there is bleeding from the mouth that will not stop, if swelling is spreading towards your eye or neck, if you are struggling to breathe, swallow or speak, or if the break happened together with a blow to the head, especially with any loss of consciousness, vomiting or confusion. These need urgent medical attention. Call an ambulance or have someone drive you there without delay.

How do I reach Dr Davies?

To ask for a same-day appointment, which Dr Davies offers where possible, call the practice on weekdays from 8:30 to 17:00 and ask for her, or call her own mobile at any other time, including Saturdays. This page always shows the right number for the time of day. This page gives general information and cannot tell you how serious a particular break is. Only an examination can confirm that, so call and describe what has happened rather than waiting to see.