Got a broken or chipped tooth? Don't worry. Broken and chipped teeth are the most common type of dental injury.
Broken and chipped teeth can be frustrating, but they're easily treated by visiting the dentist immediately. They can cause needless stress and pain and if they're left untreated. Sometimes they go on to cause more serious problems.
Symptoms of a broken tooth
When you break or chip a tooth you will normally notice it as soon as it happens. Most people experience pain when they’ve broken a tooth, particularly when chewing or biting food. It's also quite normal to feel pain as soon as the break happens. Sometimes you can break or chip a tooth and not notice it straight away. That's because you don’t feel any pain when the injury or break occurs.
Other than pain, you may also feel sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods, as well as swelling of the gum around the affected tooth. When you break or chip a tooth you should visit a dentist as soon as possible. For severe pain, or if you are bleeding from a broken tooth we recommend booking an urgent emergency appointment with a dentist.
Causes of a broken tooth
You can break or chip a tooth in many different ways. It's a common dental injury after all. It can be as easy as biting or chewing something hard, such as a nut or a hard lolly.
It is also common to break or chip a tooth from an accident or sports injury.
Other causes of a broken tooth could include:
- Grinding your teeth
- Large fillings that have weakened the tooth
- Age or wear and tear - most tooth chips or breaks occur in people aged 50 and over
Have questions
The price of treating a broken or chipped tooth depends on the severity of the damage and what treatment is needed to repair the tooth. Treating the break could be fairly straightforward or it could require more extensive dental treatment. We recommend visiting a dentist as soon as possible if you have chipped or broken your tooth. If you're experiencing pain or bleeding make sure you select emergency when you book online.
In most cases a broken or chipped tooth can be repaired easily by your dentist. Your dentist may be able to repair the tooth with a filling. For more severe chips and breaks you may require more extensive dental treatment to repair the damaged tooth. We recommend that you visit your dentist as soon as possible after the break happens.
Don’t stress! Broken and chipped teeth are very common. When you break or chip your tooth you should visit a dentist as soon as possible. They will examine your teeth, assess the chip or break in your tooth and recommend the best treatment option for you.
When you break a tooth we recommend visiting a dentist as soon as you can. If the break is severe you should see a dentist within 24 hours. However if you're unable to see a dentist immediately after the break occurs there are a few things you can do to help. Applying a cold compress to your face near the broken tooth and rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help. If you experience bleeding you can apply gauze to the tooth, to manage the bleeding, until you can see a dentist.
We get it. We’re New Zealand’s largest group of dentists so we’ve seen more scared patients than any other dental practice in the country. For most people who are scared about visiting the dentist it’s because they’ve had a bad experience in the past. Relax. Our gentle and compassionate dentists understand how you feel. Whether you’re anxious or worried about experiencing more pain or the potential cost of the treatment, the best thing to do is to let us know how you feel. Making sure you feel comfortable is part of our job.
Sometimes it’s just out of our control. Accidents and injuries do happen. You can take care to prevent accidents by wearing a mouthguard for sport and avoiding really hard food.
When teeth become broken or chipped due to bad oral health it's beneficial to take good care of your teeth and gums. That means a combination of at-home dental care and building a great relationship with your dentist.
We recommend daily healthy habits and regular visits to the dentist. For optimum oral health:
- Practice good oral hygiene habits at home including brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day
- Book hygiene visits with an oral hygienist or oral health therapist twice each year
- Book routine exam and x-rays visits with your dentist once each year
The Lumino Dental Plan is a cost-effective way to ensure your oral health is given the priority it deserves. It’s an affordable ongoing subscription plan that keeps you on top of your oral health. We know that when you look after your oral health properly with regular preventative care, you’ll be less likely to need to see a dentist in an emergency. You’re also likely to spend less money at the dentist over time.