Written and medically reviewed byDr. Nikhil BansalGeneral Dentist · Updated What to Do Right After You Break a Tooth
The first few minutes matter most if you want to save as much of the tooth as possible. The Cleveland Clinic on dental emergencies gives these steps for a badly cracked tooth:
Save the pieces
“Save and rinse any broken pieces of your tooth.” Put them in a small container and bring them with you.
Rinse
“Rinse your mouth with warm water.”
Stop any bleeding
“If there’s bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops.”
Cool the area
Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth, cheek or lip near the tooth “to relieve pain and keep any swelling down.”
The NHS inform on a broken or knocked-out tooth suggests storing a broken fragment in milk until you see a dentist. Don’t worry if you can’t find it. NHS inform notes that your dentist “will be able to use a tooth-coloured filling material to build your tooth up.”
How to Ease the Pain Until Your Appointment
A broken tooth can be sore, or very sensitive to cold and air if the inner layers are exposed. Until you can be seen:
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, following the package directions.
- Don’t put a painkiller directly on your gum or tooth. Cleveland Clinic warns “it may burn your gum tissue.”
- If a sharp edge is cutting your tongue or cheek, cover it with orthodontic or dental wax, sold at most pharmacies.
- Chew on the other side, and stick to soft, lukewarm food.
Is a Broken Tooth an Emergency?
Not always. It depends on the size of the break and your symptoms.
It can wait for a regular appointment
Cleveland Clinic lists a “Small chip or crack in a tooth” among problems that aren’t emergencies: “If you have a chip or crack in your tooth that’s not causing any pain, it’s OK to wait until your dentist can see you.” Book soon anyway, because a small crack can grow.
Get care right away
Cleveland Clinic says you need emergency care for “bleeding that won’t stop, pain that doesn’t get better with medication or broken facial bones”. A knocked-out adult tooth is also urgent, since your dentist “has the best chance of saving a knocked-out tooth when it’s returned to its socket within one hour.” For broken facial bones, go straight to a hospital emergency room. For a broken tooth, call us. We’re open 7 days a week, including evenings and Sundays, and see dental emergencies as soon as we can.
How a Broken Tooth Is Fixed
The repair depends on how much of the tooth broke and whether the break reached the nerve. NHS inform says a chipped tooth may just need to be filled or smoothed down, while part of a back tooth “may either need a filling or a crown”. Common options are:
Smoothing or bonding
A small chip can be polished smooth, or rebuilt with tooth-coloured dental bonding, often in one visit.
A filling
A medium break, or one in a back tooth, can often be repaired with a tooth-coloured filling.
A crown
If a large part of the tooth is gone, a dental crown covers and protects what’s left.
A root canal
NHS inform notes that if the nerves are exposed, the tooth “may need root canal treatment.” A root canal treats the nerve so you can keep the tooth, usually followed by a crown.
We’ll check the tooth and take an X-ray if needed, then explain which option fits and what it costs before we start. Our aim is to keep as much of your natural tooth as we can.
Chipped, Cracked or Broken: What’s the Difference?
People use these words loosely, but they can mean different things for treatment:
Chipped tooth
A small piece of enamel has come off, often from a front tooth. It’s usually cosmetic and easy to repair.
Cracked tooth
A line runs into the tooth, but the pieces are still together. Cracks can hurt when you bite or release, and can spread if left alone.
Broken tooth
A larger part of the tooth has broken off. It may expose the inner layers or the nerve.
A tooth with a large old filling is more likely to break, because there’s less natural tooth holding it together. If you notice a crack line or pain when you bite, it’s worth getting it checked before it breaks.
What If a Filling or Crown Breaks?
Sometimes it’s not the tooth but a repair that breaks. For a lost filling, Cleveland Clinic suggests you “stick a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity (sugar-filled gum will cause pain) or use an over-the-counter dental cement” until you’re seen. For a broken crown or bridge, “make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible and bring the restoration with you.”
Don’t glue a crown back on with household glue. We can often recement a crown that’s still in good shape.
How to Avoid Breaking a Tooth
Many broken teeth are preventable. The American Dental Association (MouthHealthy) on dental emergencies advises you to “Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth.” A few other habits help:
- Wear a sports guard for hockey, basketball, martial arts and other contact sports.
- If you grind or clench your teeth at night, a night guard protects them from wear and cracks.
- Don’t use your teeth to open packages or bottles.
- Have cracked or heavily filled teeth checked at your regular visits, before they break.
Broken Tooth: Frequently Asked Questions
Can a broken tooth heal on its own?
No. Enamel doesn’t grow back, so a broken or chipped tooth won’t repair itself. A small, smooth chip may not need treatment, but a dentist should check it, because cracks can spread and let bacteria in.
Is a chipped tooth an emergency?
Usually not. A small chip that doesn’t hurt can wait for a regular appointment. Call right away if you have severe pain, bleeding that won’t stop, or a large piece of the tooth missing.
What should I do with the broken piece of my tooth?
Rinse it and keep it in a small container, ideally in milk, and bring it to your appointment. If you can’t find it, your dentist can still rebuild the tooth with tooth-coloured material.
Can a broken front tooth be fixed in one visit?
Often, yes. Small chips on front teeth can usually be smoothed or rebuilt with bonding in one visit. A larger break may need a crown, which takes more than one appointment.
Is broken tooth repair covered by insurance or CDCP?
Many dental plans cover fillings and part of the cost of crowns, but coverage depends on your plan. We direct bill insurance and accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), and we’ll explain your share before treatment.
Ready to talk about your smile?
Book a consultation at River Run Dental Centre in Mississauga. We’ll check your teeth, explain your options and costs, and bill your insurance directly. Open 7 days, including evenings and Sundays.
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