A chipped or broken tooth requires an immediate trip to the dentist office, even if the tooth is not a permanent one! Once a tooth has been chipped or broken, bacteria can enter the pulp or nerve of the tooth and cause an infection. It will be important for the dentist to evaluate the trauma and seal the enamel to keep the bacteria out. If you can locate the piece of broken tooth, put it in a glass of milk and bring it with you to visit the dentist. In some cases the broken piece of tooth can be reattached in the office.