A broken tooth can be painful, stressful, and alarming—but knowing how to handle it makes all the difference. At Pennsauken Family Dental, we provide compassionate, prompt care for dental emergencies, including chipped, cracked, or broken teeth.

Whether the damage involves a natural tooth or a restoration like a crown or bridge, the steps you take immediately after injury can determine the outcome.

First Steps After a Tooth Breaks

If you break a tooth, here’s what to do right away:

• Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clear away debris.
• Apply a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.
• If there is bleeding, use gauze to apply gentle pressure until it stops.
• Try to save any broken fragments if possible.

If you wear a bridge and it feels loose or a portion has broken, don’t attempt to repair it yourself. Instead, call your dental provider right away.

Call Your Dentist Immediately

Even if you’re not in pain, a broken tooth is considered a dental emergency. Delaying treatment can result in infection, worsening damage, or even tooth loss.

At Pennsauken Family Dental, we reserve space in our schedule for emergency visits. Whether you’re a new patient or have been with us for years, we’ll work to see you as soon as possible.

How We Repair a Broken Tooth

Treatment will depend on the severity and type of damage. If only a small chip has occurred, cosmetic bonding may be enough. However, deeper fractures or damage that affects the pulp of the tooth may require a root canal and a crown.

Here are some common repair options:

• Dental bonding for minor chips
• Crowns for moderate to severe fractures
• Root canal therapy if the nerve is involved
• Extraction and replacement (such as with a bridge or implant) if the tooth cannot be saved

If you’ve broken or dislodged a restoration, such as a dental bridge, we’ll examine the condition of both the prosthetic and the supporting teeth before determining the best repair or replacement plan.

What If You Break a Tooth with a Bridge?

If you have a dental bridge and one of the supporting teeth (abutment teeth) is damaged, the entire bridge could become compromised. In this case, we may need to remove the bridge, treat or restore the abutment tooth, and replace the bridge afterward.

Pennsauken Family Dental offers expert repair and replacement of dental bridges in Pennsauken Township, ensuring both function and aesthetics are restored.

Managing Pain Until You’re Seen

To reduce discomfort while waiting for your dental appointment, you can:

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (as directed)
• Avoid hot, cold, or very sweet foods
• Chew on the opposite side of your mouth
• Use temporary dental wax if the tooth has sharp edges

Do not attempt to use glue or adhesives to reattach broken pieces or fix a bridge on your own, as this can cause further damage and interfere with proper treatment.

How to Prevent Future Breaks

While not every dental emergency is avoidable, you can reduce your risk by:

• Avoiding hard or chewy foods if you have vulnerable dental work
• Wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth
• Using a mouthguard during sports or physical activity
• Keeping up with routine checkups and cleanings

Patients who work with a cosmetic dentist in Pennsauken Township to achieve a beautiful smile should also make sure to protect their investment. That means being proactive with preventive care and seeking help right away if something feels off.

Your Emergency Dentist in Pennsauken

When dental emergencies strike, you need a provider you can count on. At Pennsauken Family Dental, we provide comprehensive care to get you out of pain and back to smiling—whether the issue is a broken tooth, a damaged bridge, or something more complex.

From cosmetic bonding to dental bridge repair in Pennsauken Township, we’re here to help you restore your oral health and confidence as quickly as possible.