Do not pick at a broken tooth or try to glue a fragment back yourself. Keep any fragment and contact a dentist; a permanent tooth knocked completely out after an injury is a different emergency requiring immediate dental attention.
Distinguish a broken fragment from a knocked-out tooth
Save a broken fragment if you find it; it may be useful for treatment. A whole permanent tooth knocked out of its socket is a time-sensitive emergency. Hold it by the white crown, do not scrub the root and do not let it dry. If it cannot be safely replaced, carry it in milk and seek a dentist immediately. A baby tooth should not be replanted.
After a head or facial injury, loss of consciousness, vomiting, breathing difficulty or uncontrolled bleeding requires emergency medical care first. Do not file a sharp edge or use household glue. Tell the clinician when the injury happened, how long the tooth was out and how it was stored. Even a small visible fracture may require assessment of the root and surrounding tissues.
Why Does a Tooth Break?
A tooth fracture may occur for different reasons.
Eating very hard foods
Trauma or impact
Previously treated teeth
Tooth wear
Large fillings
Teeth grinding or clenching
Each fracture requires individual evaluation.
What Can Be Done First After a Tooth Breaks?
Trying to find the broken piece
Keeping the area clean
Avoiding very hot or cold foods
Avoiding pressure on the broken area
Seeking dental evaluation
If the broken piece is found, keeping it safely may be helpful.
Should the Broken Tooth Piece Be Kept?
If a piece of the tooth has separated, it can be useful to preserve it.
Kept in a clean container
Protected from drying out
Whether it can be used again depends on the dentist’s evaluation.
What Symptoms Should Be Observed?
Pain
Hot or cold sensitivity
Discomfort while chewing
Sharp edges on the tooth
Feeling of tooth movement
These symptoms should be evaluated by a dentist.
How Is a Broken Tooth Evaluated?
Oral examination
Assessment of tooth structure
Imaging methods when necessary
The location and size of the fracture are important factors.
