Cracked or Broken Tooth? What to Do Next

Teeth are strong, but they aren’t indestructible. Biting into a hard candy, an olive pit or a piece of ice, grinding your teeth at night, or a fall can all crack or break a tooth. Some cracks are tiny and painless. Others expose the inside of the tooth and hurt a lot. Here’s how to handle a damaged tooth until you can see a dentist in Doral.

Types of tooth damage

Chips

A small piece of enamel breaks off, often from a front tooth. It may feel sharp but usually isn’t painful.

Cracks

A line runs through the tooth. Cracks may cause sharp pain when you bite down or release, and sensitivity to hot and cold. They can be hard to see.

Broken cusps and larger breaks

A chunk of a back tooth breaks off, often around an old filling. If the break reaches the inner tooth, you may see a pink or dark spot and feel significant pain.

What to do right away

• Rinse your mouth gently with warm water
• Save any broken pieces in a clean container with milk or saliva
• Press gauze on any bleeding for about 10 minutes
• Use a cold compress on your cheek to reduce swelling
• Cover sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum to protect your tongue and cheek
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as the label directs

For more ways to manage pain, see our guide to toothache relief before you’re seen.

What to avoid

• Chewing on the damaged tooth
• Very hot, cold or sugary foods and drinks
• Trying to file down a sharp edge yourself
• Gluing a broken piece back with household glue

Pain that comes and goes

Some cracks don’t show up as a visible break. Instead, you may feel a quick, sharp pain when you bite on something in a certain way, or when you stop biting, and then nothing for days. Temperature sensitivity that fades quickly is another common sign. Because these cracks are hard to see, they’re easy to ignore, but they tend to spread over time. If you notice this pattern, mention exactly which foods or movements set it off when you see a dentist, since that helps them track down the tooth.

When a broken tooth is urgent

Call the same day if the tooth is very painful, the break is large, you can see the inner part of the tooth, there’s bleeding from inside the tooth, or the tooth has moved or loosened. A crack left untreated can let bacteria reach the nerve, which can lead to infection. Our article on signs of a dental abscess explains what that looks like.

If a tooth came out completely, the steps are different and time-critical. Follow our guide for a knocked-out tooth instead.

How dentists repair broken teeth

Treatment depends on the size and depth of the damage. Small chips can often be smoothed or repaired with tooth-colored bonding. Larger breaks may need a filling or a crown to protect what’s left. If the crack reaches the nerve, a root canal may be needed before the tooth is restored. Some teeth with deep cracks below the gumline can’t be saved, and a dentist will talk through replacement options.

Can a chipped tooth wait?

A small chip with no pain, no sensitivity and no sharp edge cutting your tongue can usually wait a few days for a regular appointment. Keep the area clean and avoid biting hard foods with that tooth. If pain, sensitivity or swelling develops, or the chip gets bigger, treat it as urgent and call sooner.

Lowering your risk

Avoid chewing ice and hard candy, use a mouthguard for sports, and ask a dentist about a night guard if you grind your teeth. Large old fillings can weaken teeth over time, so regular checkups help spot problems early.

Get connected with a dentist

If you’ve broken a tooth and need help soon, call our referral line to reach a participating dentist. You can find out more about our Doral emergency dentist referrals on the home page.