What to Do If You Break a Tooth

26 May 2025

A Guide from Your Oak Point Dentist

Best Family Dentistry in Oak Point, TX

Breaking a tooth can be an alarming experience, whether it happens during a sports game, while biting into something hard, or simply due to existing dental damage. It can be painful, stressful, and leave you wondering what to do next. At Smiles365 Dental in Oak Point, we help patients restore broken teeth every day — and the faster you act, the better the outcome.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps you should take if you’ve broken a tooth, why immediate care matters, and how our restorative services can get your smile back on track.

Common Causes of a Broken Tooth

Tooth enamel is the strongest material in the human body, but it’s not indestructible. Here are some common causes of broken or chipped teeth:

  • Biting into hard foods like ice, nuts, or hard candies
  • Sports-related injuries or accidents
  • Falls or blunt trauma to the face
  • Untreated decay or large fillings weakening the tooth structure
  • Grinding or clenching your teeth (bruxism)

If you’re experiencing a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, don’t panic. With the right care from a skilled dental team in Oak Point, your smile can be fully restored.

Step 1: Assess the Damage

Start by gently rinsing your mouth with warm water to clean the area. If there’s bleeding, apply light pressure with a piece of gauze. Swelling can be reduced with a cold compress on the outside of the cheek.

If possible, locate and save any broken tooth fragments. Place them in a clean container with milk or saliva to preserve them until your dental visit.

Even if the break seems small or painless, it’s important to seek professional evaluation. What feels like a minor chip could be hiding deeper structural damage.

Step 2: Call an Emergency Dentist in Oak Point

Prompt dental care is crucial after a broken tooth. At Smiles365 Dental, we offer same-day and emergency appointments for situations just like this.

Depending on the severity of the break, waiting too long could lead to:

  • Pain or sensitivity worsening
  • Infection entering the tooth or root
  • Further fracture of the remaining structure
  • Risk of losing the tooth entirely

Whether you're experiencing sharp pain or not, a broken tooth should never be ignored.

Step 3: Manage Discomfort

While you wait for your appointment:

  • Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Avoid chewing on the affected side of your mouth.
  • Eat soft foods and avoid extremely hot or cold items.
  • Avoid sugary or acidic foods that can irritate the exposed area.

If you have exposed nerves or sharp edges, you can place dental wax (available at most pharmacies) over the tooth to protect the soft tissues in your mouth.

How We Repair Broken Teeth at Smiles365 Dental

The right treatment for a broken tooth depends on how severe the damage is. During your visit, we’ll take digital X-rays and perform a thorough exam to determine the best solution. Some of the most common options include:

Dental Bonding

For small chips or cracks, tooth-colored composite resin can be bonded to the tooth and sculpted to match your natural shape. This is a quick and cost-effective fix for minor cosmetic damage.

Dental Crowns

When a tooth is significantly cracked or fractured, a dental crown is often the best solution. A crown covers the entire tooth, restoring strength and function while protecting the internal structure.

We offer high-quality dental crowns in Oak Point, and in some cases, same-day crowns using advanced digital technology.

Root Canal Therapy

If the break has exposed the pulp (the inner tissue of the tooth), a root canal may be necessary to remove infected or damaged nerves and prevent infection. After the root canal is completed, the tooth is sealed and covered with a crown.

Tooth Extraction and Replacement

In cases where the tooth is too damaged to save, extraction may be necessary. We offer gentle tooth removal services and comprehensive options for replacement — including dental implants, bridges, or dentures.

Our goal is always to preserve your natural tooth when possible. If extraction is needed, we’ll walk you through every step of the process and help you choose the best restoration for your needs.

Preventing Future Breaks

After your tooth is repaired, we’ll help you take steps to reduce the risk of future issues:

  • Wear a custom nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth at night
  • Use a sports mouthguard for contact sports or high-risk activities
  • Keep up with regular teeth cleanings and exams to catch decay or wear early
  • Avoid chewing on non-food items, ice, or overly hard snacks
  • Address gum disease early with therapy if your teeth are shifting or loosening

We also offer long-term preventive and restorative care, from fillings and crowns to gum disease therapy and cosmetic services. Everything is designed to keep your smile strong and beautiful for years to come.

Why Choose Smiles365 Dental?

If you’re searching for a trustworthy dental team in Oak Point who can respond quickly to emergencies and provide high-quality restorations, you’ve come to the right place. We provide:

  • Emergency appointments for broken or painful teeth
  • Same-day dental restorations in select cases
  • Personalized treatment plans for each patient
  • Compassionate care in a modern, friendly environment

We’re proud to be a trusted provider of family and restorative dental care in the Oak Point community, and we’re here when you need us most.

Schedule Your Visit

Whether you’ve just broken a tooth or want to establish care with a dentist who puts your comfort first, our team is ready to help. At Smiles365 Dental, we combine advanced techniques with compassionate care to restore your smile and give you peace of mind.

Call today to book an appointment, or request an emergency visit online. Don’t wait — the sooner we can treat your broken tooth, the better your long-term outcome will be.



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W FM 720, Oak Point, TX 75068 USA

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