Severe pain, swelling, or facial trauma?
Call us now — we offer same-day appointments for urgent dental problems.
Symptom guide
Broken tooth — what to do right now
A chipped, cracked, or fractured tooth ranges from cosmetic to truly urgent. Here is how to tell which one you are dealing with and how to keep the tooth safe until we can see you.
Hablamos español. Nói tiếng Việt.
Possible causes
Common reasons behind broken tooth. Only an exam can confirm the cause for you.
- ✓Biting down on something hard (a kernel, a bone, ice)
- ✓An accident, fall, or sports injury
- ✓A large old filling weakening the surrounding tooth
- ✓Grinding or clenching wearing the tooth down over time
- ✓A previously root-canalled tooth becoming brittle
When to come in — or call right away
Any of the following deserves prompt evaluation. Call us today.
- ⚠Bleeding from the mouth that will not stop with steady gauze pressure
- ⚠A tooth knocked completely out of the socket — this is a true dental emergency (see below)
- ⚠Severe pain on biting or with hot/cold
- ⚠The pink center of the tooth (the pulp) visible at the break
- ⚠A jaw injury along with the broken tooth
What you can try right now
These are general suggestions, not medical advice. Follow the directions on any product you use, and ask your dentist or doctor if you are unsure.
- •Rinse your mouth gently with warm water; save any tooth fragments in milk or saliva.
- •For bleeding, apply steady pressure with clean gauze or a tea bag for 10–15 minutes.
- •For a knocked-out adult tooth: pick it up by the crown (the chewing surface), do not scrub the root, put it back in the socket if you can, otherwise store in milk and come in immediately.
- •Cover a sharp edge with a small piece of sugar-free gum or orthodontic wax to protect your tongue and cheek.
- •Avoid chewing on that side until you are seen.
How KinDentists treats broken tooth
Treatment depends on the underlying cause — here are the services that most often resolve this for our patients.
Urgent Care
Emergency Dental Care
Urgent dental care for tooth pain, broken teeth, and dental emergencies. Same-day appointments available.
Restorative Care
Crowns & Cosmetic Restorations
Dental crowns, bridges, and restorative treatments to repair damaged teeth and restore function and appearance.
Preventive Care
Fillings & Preventive Care
Cavity fillings and preventive dental treatments to protect and preserve your natural teeth.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Bioclear & Composite Veneers
Minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry using Bioclear injection-molded composite and direct composite veneers to close black triangles, repair chips, and reshape teeth.
Common questions
Broken Tooth FAQ
Other common symptoms
Not sure what to do next?
Call us — we will help you decide whether you need to be seen today or whether it can wait for a routine visit. Hablamos español. Nói tiếng Việt.