I Broke My Tooth – Now What?
Breaking a tooth can feel alarming - whether it happens while biting into something unexpectedly hard, during sport, or if an old filling finally gives way
At GoodLight Clinic, we know just how stressful this moment can be - but take a breath: most chipped or broken teeth can be restored quickly, often in just one visit.
Here’s what to do (and what not to do) - and how modern dentistry, like our same-day crowns, can help you get back to smiling confidently.
1. Stay Calm – You Have Options
Your first instinct might be to panic - but most breaks can be repaired the same day, especially when treated quickly. Modern materials and digital dentistry mean that you often don’t need to wait weeks for your tooth to look and feel whole again.
2. Check and Protect
If there’s pain, swelling or bleeding, rinse gently with warm water.
Cover sharp edges with sugar-free gum or orthodontic wax to protect your tongue and cheeks.
If you can find the broken piece, keep it in clean milk or saline - sometimes it can be bonded back.
3. Eat and Drink Mindfully
Avoid hot, cold, or sweet foods - they can trigger discomfort if the nerve is exposed.
Stick to soft foods and chew on the opposite side until you see us
4. Book an Emergency Appointment — Don’t Delay
A cracked tooth can worsen quickly if left untreated. At GoodLight Clinic, we keep daily emergency slots for situations like yours - so the sooner you call, the sooner we can help.
5. Your Treatment Options
Bonding / composite build-up: perfect for small chips, reshaping your tooth beautifully.
Crown or onlay: for larger fractures; and thanks to our advanced CEREC technology, we can often design, mill, and fit your new ceramic crown on the same day - no temporary crown, no second visit.
Root canal treatment: if the nerve has been exposed or damaged.
Extraction and replacement: only in more severe cases - but acting quickly helps us save more teeth.
6. Preventing Future Breaks
Never use your teeth as tools to open bottles or tear packets.
If you grind your teeth at night, ask about a night guard to protect them.
Wear a custom sports mouthguard during contact sports.
Keep up with routine check-ups - we can often spot small cracks before they become bigger problems.
7. Why Acting Quickly Matters
Prompt care helps:
Stop further cracking or nerve exposure
Reduce pain and infection risk
Make treatment simpler, faster, and often less costly
Protect your confidence and smile
Need Help Right Now?
If you’ve chipped, cracked or broken a tooth:
Call GoodLight Clinic on 01225 698777
Or message us below - we’ll arrange an emergency appointment, often with same-day repair.