Broken Tooth: What to Do, When It’s Urgent and How Dentists Repair It

A broken tooth can be frightening, painful and inconvenient. It might happen while eating, after a fall, during sport, because of an old filling, or because decay has weakened the tooth from the inside. Sometimes it is only a small chip. Other times, a large piece breaks off, the nerve is exposed, or the tooth is cracked below the gum.

The most important thing is not to panic, but not to ignore it either. Even a painless broken tooth can become sensitive, decay further or break more. A dentist needs to assess whether the tooth can be smoothed, filled, bonded, crowned, root-filled or, in severe cases, removed.

This guide explains what to do straight away if you break a tooth, when it counts as urgent, what treatments may be needed, NHS and private costs in the UK, and how to reduce the risk of it happening again.

If you are dealing with dental pain, swelling or infection, you may also find our guides to toothache, dental emergencies, dental abscesses, dental crowns and root canal treatment useful.

What to do straight away if you break a tooth

What you should do depends on how badly the tooth is broken and whether you have pain, bleeding, swelling or injury. These steps are useful for most broken tooth situations.

1. Save any broken piece

If a piece of tooth has broken off, try to find it. Place it in milk or saliva and take it with you to the dentist. The NHS advises putting a broken piece of tooth in milk or saliva because the dentist may be able to glue it back on. The NHS has guidance on chipped, broken or cracked teeth.

Do not scrub the fragment. Do not wrap it in tissue if it can be avoided, because it may dry out or be accidentally thrown away.

2. Rinse your mouth gently

Rinse with warm water to clear blood, food or debris. Be gentle, especially if the tooth broke because of a fall or impact.

3. Control bleeding

If the gum or lip is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a clean cloth. If bleeding is heavy or does not stop, seek urgent help.

4. Use a cold compress

If there is swelling after trauma, place a cold compress on the outside of the cheek or lip for short periods. This may help reduce swelling and discomfort.

5. Take pain relief if suitable

Paracetamol or ibuprofen may help if you can take them safely. Follow the instructions on the packet. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure, especially if you are pregnant, take blood thinners, have asthma, stomach ulcers, kidney disease or have been told to avoid anti-inflammatory medicines.

Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth or gum. It can burn the soft tissues.

6. Protect your tongue and cheek from sharp edges

A broken tooth can be sharp. If it is cutting your tongue or cheek, you can cover the edge temporarily with orthodontic wax from a pharmacy, sugar-free chewing gum, or temporary dental repair material. This is only a short-term measure until you see a dentist.

7. Avoid chewing on the broken tooth

Eat soft foods and chew on the other side. Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky or very hot and cold foods until the tooth has been assessed.

8. Contact a dentist

Make a dental appointment as soon as possible. If symptoms are severe or there has been trauma, ask for urgent dental advice. The NHS says you should see a dentist if you or your child has chipped, cracked or broken a tooth, and that a GP will not be able to give dental treatment.

When is a broken tooth urgent?

A small painless chip may not be an emergency, but a broken tooth can become urgent depending on symptoms and cause.

Seek urgent dental advice if you have:

• Severe tooth pain.
• A large piece of tooth broken off.
• Bleeding that will not stop.
• A tooth broken after a fall, accident or sports injury.
• A loose tooth after trauma.
• A tooth that has been knocked out.
• Visible red or pink tissue inside the tooth, which may be the nerve.
• Swelling of the gum, cheek, jaw or face.
• Fever or feeling unwell.
• Bad taste, pus or signs of infection.
• Difficulty opening your mouth.
• Difficulty swallowing.

Call 999 or go to emergency care if swelling affects breathing or swallowing, if there is serious facial trauma, or if symptoms feel life-threatening.

If you cannot access a dentist and need urgent advice, use NHS 111. NHS guidance for dental abscess also says to ask for an urgent dentist appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you think you have a dental abscess, and not to go to a GP surgery for dental treatment. The NHS dental abscess page explains this.

Is a chipped tooth an emergency?

A small chip is not always an emergency. NHS Inform says that if the tooth is just chipped, you should make an appointment to see a dentist to fill it or smooth it down, but it is not usually an emergency and can wait until the dental surgery is open. NHS Inform has guidance on broken or knocked-out teeth.

However, you should still get it checked. A chip can expose dentine, create sharp edges, weaken the tooth or hide a deeper crack.

What if an adult tooth is knocked out?

A knocked-out adult tooth is a dental emergency. Time matters. If possible, hold the tooth by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, briefly rinse it with milk or saline. Do not scrub the root.

If you can, place the adult tooth back in the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it in place. If you cannot put it back, place it in milk or saliva and seek urgent dental care immediately. NHS Inform advises placing an adult tooth in milk and contacting your usual dental practice if you cannot put it back into position.

Do not try to reinsert a baby tooth. This can damage the developing adult tooth underneath. Seek urgent dental advice instead.

Why do teeth break?

Teeth can break for many reasons. Sometimes it happens suddenly, but the tooth may already have been weakened.

Common causes include:

• Biting hard foods such as nuts, hard sweets, crusty bread or ice.
• Tooth decay weakening the tooth from inside.
• Large old fillings leaving less natural tooth structure.
• Cracked tooth syndrome.
• Grinding or clenching.
• Trauma from falls, sport or accidents.
• Root canal treated teeth becoming brittle or weakened.
• Acid erosion thinning enamel.
• Teeth with untreated wear or bite problems.
• Old crowns, fillings or bonding failing.

If a tooth breaks while eating something soft, decay or an old crack may have weakened it.

Types of broken tooth

Dentists treat broken teeth differently depending on the type and depth of damage.

Small enamel chip

A small chip affects only the outer enamel. It may feel sharp but may not hurt. Treatment may involve smoothing, polishing or adding composite bonding.

Broken front tooth

A broken front tooth can affect appearance, speech and confidence. If the broken piece is available, the dentist may be able to reattach it. Otherwise, composite bonding, a veneer or crown may be considered depending on the size of the break.

Broken back tooth

Back teeth take heavy chewing forces. A small break may be repaired with a filling. A larger break may need an onlay or crown. If the nerve is affected, root canal treatment may be needed.

Broken tooth with pain

Pain suggests the break may involve dentine, the nerve, a crack, infection or bite pressure. The tooth should be assessed promptly.

Broken tooth with exposed nerve

If you can see red or pink tissue inside the tooth, or the tooth is extremely sensitive to air, cold or touch, the nerve may be exposed. This needs urgent dental care.

Cracked tooth

A cracked tooth may not have a piece missing. Symptoms can include pain on biting, pain when releasing the bite, or sensitivity to cold. Cracks can be difficult to diagnose and may need X-rays, bite tests or specialist assessment.

Split tooth

A split tooth has a crack that extends through the tooth. Some split teeth cannot be saved, especially if the crack goes below the gum or into the root.

Broken root-filled tooth

Root-filled teeth can be more fragile, especially if they have large fillings. Many back teeth need crowns after root canal treatment to reduce fracture risk. If a root-filled tooth breaks badly, it may need a new crown, post and core, retreatment or extraction.

How dentists repair a broken tooth

Treatment depends on how much tooth is broken, whether the nerve is involved, whether there is decay, and whether the tooth is stable.

Smoothing and polishing

Very small chips may only need smoothing and polishing. This removes sharp edges and improves comfort.

Composite bonding

Composite bonding uses tooth-coloured resin to repair chips or rebuild missing edges. It is commonly used for front teeth and small to moderate breaks.

Bonding is usually quicker and less invasive than crowns or veneers, but it can chip, stain or need repair over time. Read more: Composite Bonding in the UK.

White filling

A broken tooth may be repaired with a filling if enough strong tooth remains. Fillings are commonly used for smaller breaks and decay-related cavities.

Onlay or inlay

An onlay or inlay may be used when a normal filling is not strong enough but a full crown may remove more tooth than necessary. These restorations are custom-made and can protect biting surfaces.

Dental crown

A crown covers and protects a weakened tooth. It may be recommended if a large part of the tooth has broken, if the tooth has a large filling, or after root canal treatment.

Read our full guide: Dental Crowns Explained.

Root canal treatment

If the nerve is infected, exposed or irreversibly inflamed, root canal treatment may be needed to save the tooth. The dentist removes the infected or damaged nerve tissue, disinfects the root canals and seals the tooth.

A crown may be recommended afterwards, especially for back teeth. Read more: Root Canal Treatment Explained.

Veneer

A veneer may be considered for some broken front teeth, especially where the main issue is appearance and the tooth is otherwise strong. Veneers are not suitable for every broken tooth.

Read more: Veneers in the UK.

Extraction

If the tooth is too badly broken, cracked below the gum, infected beyond repair or has poor support, extraction may be the safest option. Replacement options may include a denture, bridge or implant.

If a tooth cannot be saved, you may want to read our guides to dental bridges, dentures in the UK and dental implants in the UK.

Can a broken tooth be glued back on?

Sometimes. If the broken piece is intact and fits well, a dentist may be able to reattach it using dental bonding techniques. This is more likely with front teeth and clean fractures.

Keep the fragment in milk or saliva and take it with you. Do not use household glue, superglue or nail glue. These are not safe for use in the mouth and can damage the tooth or soft tissues.

What if a crown breaks or falls off?

If a crown breaks or comes off, keep it safe and contact your dentist. The tooth underneath may be sensitive and vulnerable.

Sometimes a crown can be recemented. If there is decay, fracture, poor fit or damage to the crown, a new crown or different treatment may be needed.

Do not use household glue to stick a crown back on. Temporary dental cement from a pharmacy may be used only as a short-term measure if advised, but you still need a dentist.

What if a filling falls out and the tooth breaks?

A lost filling can leave a tooth weak, sharp and sensitive. If the tooth then breaks, it may need a new filling, onlay, crown or root canal treatment depending on the size and depth of the damage.

Avoid chewing on that side and arrange a dental appointment. Temporary filling material from a pharmacy may help protect the tooth short term, but it is not a permanent repair.

What if a broken tooth does not hurt?

A painless broken tooth still needs a dental check. It may not hurt because the break is shallow, because the nerve has already died, or because the tooth has had root canal treatment. Pain is not the only sign of a problem.

Leaving a broken tooth untreated can allow decay, further fracture, infection or gum irritation to develop.

Can a broken tooth become infected?

Yes. If a break exposes dentine or the nerve, bacteria can enter the tooth. This may lead to inflammation, infection or a dental abscess.

Warning signs include:

• Throbbing pain.
• Swelling of the gum, face or jaw.
• Pus or bad taste.
• Fever or feeling unwell.
• Pain when biting.
• A pimple-like swelling on the gum.
• Tooth darkening.

Read more: Dental Abscess: Symptoms and Treatment.

Broken tooth after an accident or sports injury

Dental trauma needs prompt assessment, especially if a tooth is loose, displaced, knocked out or broken deeply. Injuries to the lip, jaw, face or head may also need medical care.

Seek urgent help if:

• An adult tooth is knocked out.
• A tooth is pushed out of position.
• Your bite suddenly feels wrong after injury.
• You cannot close your mouth properly.
• There is heavy bleeding.
• You suspect a broken jaw.
• There was loss of consciousness, vomiting or head injury symptoms.

Sports mouthguards can reduce the risk of dental trauma. Custom-made mouthguards from a dentist usually fit better than shop-bought versions.

Broken baby tooth: what should parents do?

If a child breaks a baby tooth, contact a dentist for advice. Do not try to reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth because it can damage the developing adult tooth.

Seek urgent advice if:

• The child is in severe pain.
• The tooth is pushed into the gum.
• The tooth is very loose after injury.
• There is swelling or pus.
• The child cannot bite normally.
• There are cuts, heavy bleeding or facial injury.

Broken adult tooth in a child or teenager

A broken adult front tooth in a child or teenager should be assessed quickly. If you have the broken piece, keep it in milk or saliva and take it to the dentist.

Young adult teeth may need special care because the roots may still be developing. Prompt treatment can improve the chance of saving the tooth and avoiding complications.

NHS treatment for a broken tooth

NHS dental treatment may be available for a broken tooth when clinically necessary. The charge depends on what treatment is needed.

In England, NHS charges from 1 April 2026 are:

• Urgent dental treatment: £27.90
• Band 1: £27.90
• Band 2: £76.60
• Band 3: £332.10

Band 2 includes treatment such as fillings, root canal treatment and extractions. Band 3 includes more complex custom-made treatment such as crowns, dentures and bridges. The NHS says the dental professional should tell you how much treatment will cost before they start. You can check the NHS dental treatment costs page here.

If you need urgent care and cannot get an appointment with your usual dentist, use NHS 111 for advice.

Private cost to repair a broken tooth in the UK

Private costs vary widely depending on the treatment needed, the clinic, the tooth and whether urgent care is required.

For more detail, see: Private Dentist Prices UK: What Common Treatments Cost.

What should be included in a broken tooth quote?

Before private treatment, ask what is included.

• Emergency consultation.
• X-rays.
• Temporary repair.
• Definitive repair.
• Root canal treatment if needed.
• Crown or onlay if needed.
• Review appointments.
• What happens if the repair fails.
• Whether future crown or root canal treatment may be needed.

If the tooth is badly broken, ask for a staged plan. Sometimes a dentist may need to stabilise the tooth first, then decide on the final restoration once symptoms settle.

Can a broken tooth be fixed in one visit?

Sometimes. Small chips, bonding and simple fillings can often be repaired in one visit. Larger breaks may need more than one appointment, especially if a crown, onlay, root canal treatment or extraction is needed.

If you are in pain, an urgent appointment may focus on pain relief and temporary stabilisation first. The final repair may be done later.

How long can you leave a broken tooth?

It is best not to leave a broken tooth. A small painless chip may be able to wait for a routine appointment, but a painful, sharp, large or trauma-related break should be assessed promptly.

The longer a broken tooth is left, the greater the risk of:

• Further fracture.
• Decay.
• Nerve inflammation.
• Infection or abscess.
• More expensive treatment later.
• The tooth becoming impossible to save.

How to prevent broken teeth

Not every broken tooth can be prevented, but you can reduce risk.

• Attend regular dental check-ups.
• Treat tooth decay early.
• Replace failing large fillings before the tooth breaks.
• Ask about crowns or onlays for heavily weakened teeth.
• Wear a night guard if you grind and your dentist recommends one.
• Wear a sports mouthguard for contact sports.
• Avoid chewing ice, pens or hard objects.
• Do not use teeth to open packets or bottles.
• Manage acid erosion and reflux if relevant.
• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.

Questions to ask your dentist

If you have broken a tooth, ask:

• How deep is the break?
• Is the nerve involved?
• Is there decay or an old filling underneath?
• Is the tooth cracked below the gum?
• Can the tooth be saved?
• What are my treatment options?
• Is a filling enough, or do I need a crown?
• Do I need root canal treatment?
• What happens if I do nothing?
• What will it cost on the NHS or privately?
• How long is the repair likely to last?
• How can I prevent it happening again?

Red flags to watch out for

Be cautious if a clinic or provider:

• Recommends extraction without explaining whether the tooth can be saved.
• Does not take an X-ray when the break is deep or painful.
• Does not discuss NHS and private options clearly.
• Gives vague costs without explaining what is included.
• Promises a repair will last forever.
• Does not explain crown, root canal or future treatment risks.
• Does not provide aftercare instructions after trauma or extraction.

When should you get a second opinion?

Consider a second opinion if:

• You have been told the tooth must be removed but you are unsure.
• The treatment is expensive.
• You have been advised to crown several teeth.
• The break is painless and you do not understand why major treatment is needed.
• You are choosing between root canal treatment and extraction.
• You are considering an implant after extraction.
• You feel rushed into a decision.

A good dentist should explain the diagnosis clearly and should not object to you understanding your options.

How to choose a dentist for a broken tooth

For a simple chip, most general dentists can help. For complex breaks, trauma, root canal problems or cosmetic front tooth repairs, experience and planning matter more.

Look for:

• Prompt urgent appointment availability.
• Clear explanation of findings.
• X-rays where clinically needed.
• Discussion of all realistic options.
• Transparent NHS or private costs.
• Experience with crowns, bonding or root canal treatment where needed.
• Clear aftercare and follow-up.
• No pressure selling.

For broader advice, read: How to Choose a Dentist in the UK and What Makes a Good Dental Practice?.

You can also browse local dental providers through All Health and Care, including our Top 10 Dentists in the UK and local pages such as Top 10 Dentists in London.

Final thoughts

A broken tooth should always be taken seriously. Some chips are simple to smooth or repair, but deeper breaks can expose the nerve, allow infection or leave the tooth too weak to function.

The best thing you can do is save any broken piece, protect the tooth, avoid chewing on it and contact a dentist. If there is severe pain, swelling, bleeding, trauma or a loose tooth, seek urgent dental care.

Early treatment often means simpler treatment. Waiting can turn a small repair into root canal treatment, a crown or an extraction.

For more patient-friendly dental guides, visit our Dental Health & Dentistry section.

Frequently asked questions about broken teeth

What should I do if I break a tooth?

Save any broken piece in milk or saliva, rinse your mouth gently, avoid chewing on the tooth, protect sharp edges if needed and contact a dentist. Seek urgent care if there is severe pain, swelling, bleeding or trauma.

Is a broken tooth an emergency?

It depends. A small painless chip may wait for a routine appointment, but a large break, severe pain, swelling, bleeding, exposed nerve, loose tooth or trauma needs urgent dental advice.

Can a dentist glue a broken tooth back on?

Sometimes. If you have the broken piece, keep it in milk or saliva and take it to the dentist. Do not use household glue.

What should I put a broken tooth piece in?

Put it in milk or saliva and take it to the dentist. This may help preserve it if reattachment is possible.

Should I go to A&E for a broken tooth?

For a dental-only problem, contact a dentist or NHS 111. Go to emergency care or call 999 if there is serious facial injury, heavy bleeding, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or life-threatening symptoms.

Can a GP treat a broken tooth?

No. GPs cannot provide dental treatment for a broken tooth. You need a dentist.

Can I leave a broken tooth if it does not hurt?

You should still see a dentist. A painless broken tooth can decay, crack further or become infected.

Why does my broken tooth hurt?

Pain may mean dentine is exposed, the nerve is irritated, the tooth is cracked, there is decay, or infection is developing.

What if my broken tooth is sharp?

You can cover the sharp edge temporarily with orthodontic wax, sugar-free gum or temporary dental repair material from a pharmacy. See a dentist for proper treatment.

Can I use superglue on a broken tooth?

No. Do not use superglue, nail glue or household glue in your mouth. They are unsafe and can damage tissues or make dental repair harder.

How do dentists fix a small chip?

A small chip may be smoothed, polished or repaired with composite bonding.

How do dentists fix a large broken tooth?

A large break may need a filling, onlay, crown, root canal treatment or extraction depending on how deep the damage is.

Will a broken tooth need a crown?

It may need a crown if a large amount of tooth is missing, the tooth is weak, or it has had root canal treatment. Smaller breaks may only need a filling or bonding.

Will a broken tooth need root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment may be needed if the nerve is exposed, infected or irreversibly inflamed.

Can a broken tooth be extracted?

Yes, if it cannot be saved. Your dentist should explain whether repair is possible before extraction.

How much does it cost to fix a broken tooth privately?

Costs vary. Smoothing may cost around £50 to £150+, bonding £150 to £500 per tooth, fillings £100 to £350+, crowns £500 to £1,200+, and root canal treatment £300 to £1,100+.

How much does it cost to fix a broken tooth on the NHS?

In England, urgent dental treatment is £27.90 from 1 April 2026. Fillings, root canal treatment and extractions are usually Band 2 at £76.60. Crowns are usually Band 3 at £332.10, unless you are exempt.

Can a broken front tooth be repaired?

Often, yes. Options include reattaching the broken piece, composite bonding, veneers or crowns depending on the damage.

Can a broken back tooth be repaired?

Often, yes. It may need a filling, onlay or crown. If the nerve is involved, root canal treatment may be needed.

What if my crown broke or fell off?

Keep the crown safe and contact your dentist. Do not use household glue. The tooth underneath may need protection or treatment.

What if my filling fell out and the tooth broke?

Avoid chewing on that side and see a dentist. It may need a new filling, crown, onlay or root canal treatment.

Can a broken tooth cause an abscess?

Yes. Bacteria can enter through a deep break and infect the tooth nerve, leading to an abscess.

What are signs of infection after a broken tooth?

Throbbing pain, swelling, pus, bad taste, fever, pain when biting or a gum boil can suggest infection. Seek urgent dental advice.

Can teeth break from grinding?

Yes. Grinding and clenching can crack, chip or wear teeth. Your dentist may recommend a night guard.

How can I prevent broken teeth?

Treat decay early, avoid chewing hard objects, wear a sports mouthguard, use a night guard if advised, maintain good oral hygiene and attend regular dental check-ups.