A broken tooth can happen fast, biting something hard, an old filling giving way, a sports impact, or even grinding at night. The good news is that dentists can often save and restore a broken tooth. The key is what you do in the first 30 minutes, and how quickly you get it assessed.
If you are in Downtown Vancouver, Stadium Dental offers emergency and walk-in support. Call 604-559-0299 for urgent help.
Quick answer
How to fix a broken tooth right now:
- Rinse gently with warm water to clear blood and debris.
- If there is bleeding, bite on clean gauze for 10 minutes.
- Save any broken pieces and keep them moist (milk works well). (Dealing with Dental Emergencies, 2025)
- Reduce swelling with a cold compress on the cheek every 10 minutes.
- Cover sharp edges with orthodontic wax or, if available, temporary dental material.
- Avoid chewing on that side and stick to soft foods.
- Book a dental visit ASAP because small fractures can worsen or become infected. (Bourguignon et al., 2020, pp. 314-330)
Step 1: Figure out what “broken” means (it changes what you should do)
Many people say “broken tooth,” but there are a few different situations:
A. Small chip (cosmetic or slightly rough edge)
- Often minimal pain
- Risk is mainly further chipping or sensitivity.
B. Moderate break (missing corner or chunk)
- Can expose the layer under enamel (more sensitive)
- Higher risk of decay, infection, and further cracking
C. Crack (tooth looks intact but hurts when biting)
- Pain may come and go.
- Can deepen over time, especially with chewing or grinding
D. Major fracture (large break, severe pain, or visible red dot inside)
- May involve the nerve
- Needs urgent dental care
E. Tooth is loose, pushed out of place, or fully knocked out
- This is time-sensitive trauma.
- Treat as urgent
If you are unsure which one you have, assume it is more serious and get it checked.
Step 2: Do the right first aid immediately
1) Rinse and protect the area
Use warm water to gently rinse. Do not aggressively swish if you are actively bleeding.
2) Control bleeding (if present)
Use clean gauze or a clean cloth and apply steady pressure.
3) Save the broken piece if you can find it
If a piece broke off, place it in milk (or keep it moist) and bring it to your appointment. In some cases, a dentist may be able to reattach it. (Save-A-Tooth, n.d.)
4) Reduce swelling and pain safely
- Cold compress on the outside of your cheek
- Over-the-counter pain relief can help (follow label directions)
Important: Do not place aspirin or painkiller tablets directly on the gum or tooth. This can irritate or burn tissues. (Al-Maweri et al., 2020, pp. 1-3)
5) Cover sharp edges so you do not cut your tongue or cheek
If the tooth feels jagged, cover it with:
- Orthodontic wax (common at pharmacies)
- Temporary dental filling material (if available)
This is not a permanent repair. It is a short-term shield.
Step 3: Avoid the mistakes that make breaks worse
Do not do these, even if you are tempted:
- Do not use superglue or household adhesives. They are not safe for oral tissues and can complicate professional repair. (Toxicity of Cyanoacrylate Adhesives and Their Occupational Impacts for Dental Staff, 2004)
- Do not “file it down” at home. You can expose deeper layers or create micro-cracks. (Principles of management of the badly broken down tooth, 2023)
- Do not chew on the broken side “just to test it.” That is a common way small fractures turn into big ones.
- Do not ignore a painless break. The absence of pain does not mean the absence of damage.
When a broken tooth is an emergency (same-day care)
Contact a dentist urgently if you notice any of the following:
- Moderate to severe pain
- Swelling in the gum, face, or jaw
- Bleeding that does not stop.
- A tooth that feels loose or shifted
- Fever, bad taste, or pus (possible infection)
- You can see a red spot inside the break (possible nerve involvement)
- You cannot bite normally, or your bite suddenly feels “off.”
If you have uncontrolled bleeding, serious facial trauma, or trouble breathing, go to urgent medical care immediately.
How dentists fix a broken tooth (what you can expect)
A dentist will typically:
- Examine the tooth and gums.
- Take X-rays to check the root and surrounding bone.
- Test the tooth’s vitality (to see if the nerve is affected)
- Recommend a repair based on the extent of the damage and its location in your bite.
Common treatment options (from least to most involved)
1) Smoothing or polishing (small chips)
For tiny chips, the solution may be as simple as smoothing the sharp edge.
2) Bonding or filling (small to moderate breaks)
Tooth-colored composite can rebuild missing structure, protect sensitive areas, and look natural. This is common for front teeth or smaller fractures. (Clinical Performance and Epidemiologic Aspects of Fractured Anterior Teeth Restored with a Composite Resin: A Two-Year Clinical Study, 2017, pp. 355-361)
3) Onlay or crown (bigger breaks or weak teeth)
If a large portion of the tooth is missing, a crown may be recommended to “cap” and protect it, especially for back teeth that take heavy chewing forces. (Treatment Recommendations for Single-Unit Crowns: Findings from The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network, 2016, pp. 631-638)
4) Root canal plus crown (if the nerve is inflamed or exposed)
If the fracture reaches the nerve or infection develops, a root canal treats the inside of the tooth, and a crown protects it afterwards. (Cracked Teeth, 2022)
5) Extraction and replacement (when the tooth cannot be saved)
If a fracture extends too far below the gumline or the tooth is structurally compromised, removal may be safest. Replacement options may include an implant, a bridge, or a denture, depending on your case. (Bourguignon et al., 2020, pp. 314-330)
A simple decision guide: which repair is most likely?
- Tiny chip, no pain: smoothing or bonding
- Sharp edge, mild sensitivity: bonding or small filling
- Large chunk missing, tooth feels weaker: crown or onlay
- Pain when biting; pain comes and goes. Evaluate for cracks and consider a crown.
- Throbbing pain, lingering sensitivity, visible inner tissue: possible root canal plus crown
- Tooth is loose, or bite changed: urgent evaluation for trauma and stabilisation.
A proper exam matters because two breaks that look similar in the mirror can have very different internal damage.
How long is it safe to leave a broken tooth?
In practical terms: the sooner, the better.
- A small chip might not be an immediate emergency, but it can still collect bacteria and become more sensitive over time.
- A deeper break that exposes inner layers can raise the risk of infection or more breakage.
- A crack that hurts when biting can worsen quickly with normal chewing. (Cracked Tooth Syndrome: An advice sheet for dentists and dental teams, 2022)
If you cannot get in the same day, follow the first-aid steps above, avoid chewing on that side, and book the earliest available appointment.
What Stadium Dental can do (Downtown Vancouver)
At Stadium Dental, our team can assess the fracture, take X-rays, and recommend the most conservative treatment to protect the tooth in the long term. If you are anxious or the tooth is very sensitive, ask about comfort options during treatment.
Call 604-559-0299 to book urgent care. We are located at 178 Keefer Place, Vancouver, BC, near the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station.
Frequently Asked Questions About Broken Tooth Repair
Can a broken tooth be fixed?
Yes. Dentists can often repair a broken tooth with bonding, a filling, a crown, or a root canal if the nerve is involved. The best option depends on how deep the damage goes and how much tooth structure remains. Even when a tooth cannot be saved, replacement options like implants or bridges can restore function and appearance. (Dental Implants, 2025)
Can I repair a broken tooth at home?
You can protect a broken tooth at home, but you cannot truly repair it permanently without dental care. (Fouad et al., 2020, pp. 314-330) At home, focus on rinsing gently, covering sharp edges with wax, saving broken fragments in milk, using cold compresses for swelling, and avoiding chewing on that side. Avoid DIY glues or filing.
How long is it safe to leave a broken tooth?
It is safest to get it evaluated as soon as possible. Small chips may tolerate a short wait, but deeper breaks and cracks can worsen, become infected, or require more complex treatment if left untreated. (Cracked teeth with radicular extension: an update on restorative procedures for endodontically treated deeply cracked teeth, 2023, pp. 1-9) If you have pain, swelling, a loose tooth, or bleeding, treat it as an urgent matter.