April 12, 2026 4 min read
Broken Tooth? What to Do Before You See a Dentist
First-hour steps for a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, and what your repair options usually look like.
A broken tooth feels alarming, especially if you can see or feel a sharp edge. Here's what to do in the first hour and what to expect at the dentist.
Right after it happens
- Save any pieces of the tooth in a small container.
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek for swelling.
- Cover sharp edges with dental wax or a small piece of sugar-free gum to protect your tongue.
- Avoid chewing on that side until you're seen.
What treatment usually looks like
Depending on how much tooth is missing and whether the nerve is involved, we might recommend a simple filling, a crown, a root canal followed by a crown, or, in some cases, extraction with a replacement plan.