Chipped a Tooth?What to Do and How It Is Fixed
A chipped tooth is one of the most common and most easily fixed dental problems. Here is what to do right now, and how we repair it. Two Overland Park and Olathe offices, open seven days a week.
What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth?
A chipped tooth is rarely a crisis, but a few quick steps protect it until we can see you.
- 1
Rinse
Rinse gently with warm water to clean the area and remove any loose fragments.
- 2
Save the Piece
Keep any broken pieces in a container. Sometimes they can be reattached.
- 3
Protect It
Cover a sharp edge with dental wax or sugarless gum, and use a cold compress for swelling.
- 4
Call Us
Call to book a visit. We see chipped teeth seven days a week and often the same day.
Most chips are a quick, straightforward fix, but a severely chipped or broken tooth needs to see a dentist right away.
What Causes a Chipped Tooth?
A tooth chips when the enamel is stressed or weakened. Here are the most common causes.
Biting Something Hard
Ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, or using teeth to open packaging.
An Injury or Fall
A sports hit, a fall, or an accident that strikes the mouth.
Weakened Enamel
Decay or a large old filling can leave a tooth more likely to chip.
Grinding and Clenching
Nighttime grinding wears and stresses the edges of teeth over time.
Sources: American Dental Association, NHS
Can You Prevent a Chipped Tooth?
Not every chip is avoidable, but you can lower the risk. Avoid chewing ice and hard candy, wear a night guard if you grind your teeth, use a mouthguard for sports, and keep up with regular checkups so weak spots and decay are caught early. When a tooth does chip, the sooner we see it, the simpler the fix.
Is a Chipped Tooth an Emergency?
Most small chips are not an emergency, but a severe break needs care right away. Here is how to tell the difference.
A Minor Chip
- →A small chip with no pain
- →A rough or slightly sharp edge
- →Little or no sensitivity
- →The tooth still feels stable
A Severe Break
- →Sharp or throbbing pain, or pain when biting
- →A large piece broken off, or the inside is exposed
- →Bleeding that does not stop
- →Sensitivity to hot and cold that keeps getting worse
If you are not sure how serious a chip is, call us and we will help you decide over the phone. We can often see you the same day.
How Do Dentists Fix a Chipped Tooth?
The right fix depends on how big the chip is. We always recommend the simplest option that lasts.
How We Fix Chipped Teeth in Overland Park & Olathe
We hold time for chipped teeth and often fix them the same day you call.
Chips do not wait for Monday, and neither do we, including weekends.
Bonding and veneers are matched to your other teeth so the repair blends in.
Overland Park and Olathe, so relief is always close to home.
Over 35,000 patients served, award winning, and among the highest rated dentists across Johnson County.
OUR LOCATIONS
Find a Location Closest to You
OVERLAND PARK · 135TH & QUIVIRA
Your South Overland Park Dentist
Our Overland Park office sits at 135th Street and Quivira, steps from Quivira Crossings and McKeever’s Price Chopper. We are the everyday dentist for families across south Overland Park, from Nottingham and St. Andrews to the homes around Bentwood Park, inside the Blue Valley School District. Open every day including Saturdays and Sundays.
More about our Overland Park office →OLATHE · 119TH & BLACK BOB
Your Olathe Dentist at Olathe Pointe
Our Olathe office is inside Olathe Pointe at 119th Street and Black Bob Road, anchored by Whole Foods and directly across from the Target at Olathe Station. The convenient choice for families near Black Bob Park, the Brougham Drive neighborhoods, and Black Bob Elementary in the Olathe School District. Open every day including Saturdays and Sundays.
More about our Olathe office →