What to Do If You Have a Broken Tooth

A broken tooth can be scary at the moment, especially if you’ve never experienced it before, but staying calm is important. Knowing the right steps can ease your anxiety and help you act fast to save your smile. We’re going to tell you everything you need to know about what to do if you have a broken tooth, from initial first aid to what you should do based on the type of break, and what is a true emergency. This information can help you make better decisions if you or someone you know has a broken tooth. 

What You Should Do If You Get a Broken Tooth

Here is an easy-to-follow checklist you can use if you get a broken tooth to stay safe and save as much of the tooth as possible. 

1. Rinse your mouth out with water to clean the area and look at the damage easily
2. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your face where the break is to control any swelling and ease any pain 
3. Gather any broken pieces you can find and put them in a sealable bag to take to your dentist appointment 
4. Apply gentle pressure with gauze if you’re experiencing bleeding
5. Cover up any sharp pieces with dental wax, sugar-free gum, or even gauze while you wait to be seen to avoid cutting your tongue

How to Determine Severity of a Broken Tooth 

Wondering how serious a broken tooth really is? Here’s a guideline you can use during a self-check to determine just how severe the break is. 

Minor Chip: Only a small piece is missing, and you aren’t experiencing any pain and no sharp edges are exposed. Usually, this can wait a day or two before treatment. 

Moderate Break: A larger piece may be missing, you might have slight pain and discomfort, and you may have a visible rough edge on the broken tooth. You should be seen within 48 hours for a moderate break. 

Severe Break: If you’re in throbbing, sharp pain, have a visible pink or red center of your tooth, lots of bleeding, or if your tooth feels loose th, these are all signs you need an emergency visit; you should be seen the same day, as soon as possible. 

What You Shouldn’t Do With a Broken Tooth

Now that we’ve shared our checklist on what you should do if you have a broken tooth and how you can determine the severity of it, let’s look at what you shouldn’t do. In some cases, you may have to wait a day or two before being seen by your dentist, in which time you’ll need to live with that broken tooth. Here’s a list of things you shouldn’t do while you wait to be treated: 

• Don’t put aspirin or other pain reliever directly on the gum or tooth
• Don’t chew on the side with the broken tooth
• Don’t try to file sharp edges yourself
• Don’t ignore it just because it doesn’t hurt

When Should You Go to the ER for a Broken Tooth?

Many broken teeth won’t require an ER visit, but it’s still important to know what might prompt one.

• Bleeding that won’t stop even after applying steady pressure
• A tooth that’s completely knocked out of its socket (this should be replaced within 30 minutes to save the tooth)
• Extreme facial swelling 
• Signs of a broken bone in your face or jaw
• Severe pain that does not subside 

These signs can indicate the issue is worse than a normal broken tooth, so be prepared to go to the emergency room if you have any of them. Overall, acting fast matters for a tooth that needs full restoration, but many broken teeth can wait a day or two to be repaired without issue. 

What to Expect If You Have a Broken Tooth

If you’re experiencing a broken tooth and wondering what will happen when you arrive at the dental office, you’re not alone. Many people aren’t sure what the process looks like, but it typically starts with a rundown of options to repair the tooth. These options could be bonding, filling, root canals, extractions, or a crown, depending on the severity and what is damaged. Your dentist will assess the severity of your broken tooth and often takes an X-ray to see how extensive the damage is. Your dentist will recommend a treatment plan that saves as much of your tooth as possible while restoring an aesthetic smile to the best of their ability after a break. 

Dealing With a Broken Tooth? 

If you’ve found yourself dealing with a broken tooth, the first step is to go through our initial checklist on caring for your tooth after a break. Then determine the severity as accurately as possible so you can decide whether you need an emergency room visit or can wait for a dentist appointment. Remember, time is crucial if a tooth has been completely knocked from the gums, as it needs treatment within 30 minutes. Also, knowing the signs of a dental emergency helps you decide whether an ER visit is necessary. If you have a broken tooth, call your dentist right away to schedule an appointment to have it repaired as best as possible and save your smile!