Broken Teeth: A Comprehensive Guide to Tooth Repair
Table of Contents
What You Will Learn
- Fast help for broken teeth
- Ways to fix broken teeth
- How to stop pain from broken teeth
- Keep safe from more broken teeth
Fast Help for Broken Teeth
Did you break a tooth? This can hurt a lot. Here is what to do right now:
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water
- Save any pieces of your tooth
- Put the pieces in milk or salt water
- Stop bleeding with clean cloth
- Use cold pack on your face to stop swelling
- Take pain pills like ibuprofen (not aspirin)
When to See a Dentist
- Big pain or loose tooth: See dentist in 24 hours
- Small chip: See dentist in 3-5 days
- Tooth fell out: Get to dentist in 20 minutes
DO NOT: Eat hot or cold food, chew on the broken side, or try to glue your tooth with home glue.
Types of Broken Teeth
Not all broken teeth are the same. Here are the main types:
| Type | What It Looks Like | What You Need | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small chip | Just the outside part broke | Smooth edges or bonding | $100-$400 |
| Medium break | White part shows inside | Needs a crown | $800-$1,500 |
| Big break | Red part shows inside (nerve) | Needs root canal + crown | $1,000-$2,500 |
| Split tooth | Crack goes up and down | Might need to pull tooth | $3,000-$5,000 |
| Broken crown | Old fix came off | New crown | $800-$1,500 |
5 million teeth get knocked out each year in the USA. Don’t wait to fix yours!
Ways to Fix Broken Teeth
Dentists can fix broken teeth in many ways. Here are the main fixes:
Dental Bonding
A dentist puts tooth-colored stuff on your tooth to fix small chips. It costs about $100-$400 and takes one visit.
Dental Crowns
A crown is like a cap that goes over your whole tooth. It helps for bigger breaks. Crowns cost about $800-$1,500 and need two visits.
You might want to check out porcelain crown options for front teeth that look just like real teeth.
Root Canal Therapy
If the break shows the nerve, you need a root canal. The dentist takes out the hurt part inside your tooth, then puts in a crown. This costs $1,000-$1,500.
Veneers
Veneers are thin shells that go on the front of teeth. They fix how teeth look. They cost $925-$2,500.
Pulling the Tooth
If the tooth can’t be saved, the dentist will pull it out. Then you might get an implant to fill the spot. This costs $3,000-$5,000.
For sports players, a custom sports mouth guard can stop teeth from breaking in the first place.
Stop the Pain
Broken teeth can hurt a lot. Here’s how to stop the pain until you see the dentist:
- Take ibuprofen (not aspirin – it can make bleeding worse)
- Put dental wax on sharp edges (from a store)
- Try clove oil on the spot (it helps numb)
- Do not chew on that side
- Stay away from hot, cold, or sweet things
- Use a tooth repair kit from the store for very short fixes
Bad Signs to Watch For
If you see these things, call the dentist right now:
- Face gets very big
- You feel hot and sick
- You see pus
- You can’t close your mouth right
Keep Your Teeth Safe
You can stop teeth from breaking again. Here’s how:
- Wear a mouthguard for sports
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth at night
- Don’t bite hard things like ice or nuts
- Don’t open things with your teeth
- See the dentist every 6 months
- Eat foods with lots of calcium for strong teeth
Did you know that 25% of broken teeth happen in sports? A mouthguard cuts this risk by 90%!
For people who grind their teeth, a hard-soft night guard can help stop tooth damage.
Common Questions
Can a broken tooth fix itself?
No. Tooth enamel can’t grow back. You need a dentist to fix it.
How long can I wait to fix a broken tooth?
Big breaks: 24-72 hours at most
Small chips: A few days is OK
Tooth fell out: 20 minutes (put it in milk and run to dentist)
Does insurance pay for broken teeth?
Most dental insurance pays 50%-80% of the fix. But check if there is a “waiting time” before you can use it.
Can I fix my broken tooth at home?
You can use temporary dental repair kits from the store for a very short time. But you still need to see a dentist soon.
Real Stories
Tom’s Story: Tom broke his back tooth biting a nut. He waited 3 weeks to see a dentist. By then, the tooth was too bad and had to come out. Now he needs an implant that costs $4,200.
Lisa’s Story: Lisa chipped her front tooth. She saw the dentist the next day and got bonding for $200. Five years later, her tooth still looks good.
What We Learn: See the dentist fast! 40% of people wait too long because they worry about cost. But waiting makes things worse and more costly.
When to Run to the Dentist
Go to the dentist right now if:
- Your tooth broke and the red part (nerve) shows
- Your tooth is very loose
- Your face gets big fast
- You have bad pain that pain pills don’t help
- You got hit hard in the mouth
About 15% of ER visits for dental problems are for broken teeth. But most ERs can’t fix teeth – you need a dentist.
Key Facts to Remember
- Save tooth parts in milk or salt water
- See a dentist fast – waiting makes things worse
- Take ibuprofen for pain (not aspirin)
- Wear a mouthguard for sports
- Don’t chew on the broken side
- Keep the area clean with salt water rinses
For people who have lots of broken teeth, dental veneers might be a good way to fix all front teeth at once.
In Case of Lost Tooth
If your tooth falls all the way out:
- Find the tooth
- Hold it by the crown (not the root)
- Rinse it gently (don’t scrub)
- Try to put it back in the socket
- If you can’t, put it in milk or your cheek pocket
- Get to a dentist in 20 minutes
89% of knocked-out teeth can be saved if you act in 20 minutes!
I hope this helps you know what to do for broken teeth. The most important thing is to see a dentist soon. Your smile is worth saving!
