Chipped, broken or cracked tooth

Chipping, breaking or cracking a tooth usually isn't serious. Your dentist will usually be able to treat it.

See a dentist if you or your child has:

• chipped, cracked or broken a tooth

If a piece of tooth has broken off, put it in milk or saliva (by spitting into a container if it's your tooth, or having your child spit into a container if it's theirs) and take it to the dentist.

Don't go to your GP. They won't be able to give you dental treatment.

How to see a dentist in an emergency or out of hours:

• call your dentist – if they're closed, their answerphone may say what to do

If you don't have a dentist or can't get an emergency appointment:

• call 111 – they can advise you what to do
• find a dentist near you – ask for an emergency appointment

You may have to pay for your appointment. Read more about NHS dental charges.

What the dentist will do

Treatments for a chipped, broken or cracked tooth include:

• gluing the fragment of tooth back on
• a filling or a crown (a cap that completely covers the broken tooth)
• root canal treatment for a badly broken tooth where the nerves are exposed

Read more about dental treatments.