What to do about a chipped or broken adult tooth after a crash
An emergency dentist on fixing the tooth and finding damage you can't see
A crash can chip a tooth or break off a bigger piece. The tooth can also crack below the gum line or get pushed out of place. The chip you can see may be only part of the damage. Damage can also reach the nerve inside the tooth, its root, the teeth beside it or your jaw. See a dentist even if the pain is mild. How deep the break goes decides the treatment. [1, 2]
Save any broken piece
If you find a piece of tooth, keep it in milk or your own saliva and bring it to the dentist. The dentist may be able to reattach it. Let the dentist know if the tooth feels loose or your bite feels different. Also mention sharp pain from cold air or bleeding from the gum. A tooth that’s been pushed out of line needs urgent advice from a dentist. Don’t try to file down or glue a sharp edge on your own. [1, 2]
Ask what repairs you need now and later
A small chip may be smoothed out or repaired with bonding. A bigger break may call for a filling, a crown or treatment of the tooth’s nerve. A crack in the root can affect your chances of keeping the tooth. Ask if you need dental X rays. Find out whether the nearby teeth should be checked again later. A tooth can turn dark or start to hurt after the first visit. [1, 2]
When to get help fast
Get urgent dental care for severe pain or for swelling around the tooth. The same goes for a tooth that moves or shifts position. Get emergency medical care for bleeding that won’t stop or trouble swallowing or breathing. Facial swelling that spreads fast also needs emergency care. If a tooth is knocked all the way out, follow the emergency steps for a lost permanent tooth. [1, 2]
Ask your dentist
- How deep is the break? Does it reach the root or the nerve?
- Can you reattach the broken piece?
- Which teeth need checking later, even if they feel fine now?
Keep the piece wet and call a dentist
Sources and further reading
- 1NHS chipped, broken or cracked tooth
- 2American Association of Endodontists traumatic dental injuries
The information here is general and comes from an emergency dentist’s perspective. Any broken or shifted tooth needs a dental exam. Trouble breathing, bleeding that won’t stop or spreading swelling in the face needs emergency medical care.
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