Emergency Dental Advice:

What to Do If You Break a Tooth or Filling?

A dental emergency can be painful and distressing. If you’ve broken a tooth or lost a filling, follow these steps to manage discomfort and protect your oral health until you see a dentist.

What to Do If You Have a Broken Tooth or Filling?

  • Sharp or Sensitive Broken Tooth

If a broken tooth is sharp and irritating your tongue or the inside of your mouth:

  1. Avoid trying to reinsert any broken fragments.

  2. Cover the sharp edge with dental relief wax (a colourless protective wax), temporary filling material (available in pharmacies), or sugar-free chewing gum if no other options are available.

  3. Contact your dentist as soon as possible for professional treatment.

  • Chipped Front Tooth

  1. If only a small part of the tooth is chipped, your dentist may simply smooth the edge.

  2. In some cases, a tooth-coloured filling can be used to restore the natural shape.

  • Broken Back Tooth (Molar)

  1. If a section of the chewing surface has broken away, it will likely need a filling or a dental crown to restore function and prevent further damage.

  2. Severe Break with Pulp Damage

  3. If the fracture extends deep into the tooth, exposing the pulp (the inner nerves and blood vessels), you may experience pain and sensitivity.

  4. Root canal treatment may be required to remove the damaged pulp and prevent infection.

  5. After the root canal, the tooth will be sealed with a filling or covered with a crown for protection.

When to Seek Emergency Dental Treatment

If you are experiencing severe pain, swelling, or signs of infection (such as pus or fever), contact an emergency dentist immediately.

Leaving a broken tooth untreated can lead to further complications, so prompt professional care is essential.

At Clinic for Implant & Orthodontic Dentistry, we provide emergency dental care in Worthing, West Sussex. If you need urgent treatment, call 01903-821822 or visit dental-worthing.co.uk to book an appointment.