Broke a Tooth or Lost a Filling on Candy? What to Do

If you break a tooth or lose a filling, rinse your mouth with warm water, save any pieces, and call your dentist. Cover sharp edges or an open spot with dental wax or a pharmacy temporary filling. Chew on the other side and skip hard or sticky food. Go to the ER for swelling that spreads or trouble breathing.

Hard and sticky candy can chip a tooth or pull a filling right out. At Sahara Dental Center in Las Vegas, Dr. Shiva Keshmiri, DDS (our patients call her Dr. K) wants you to know what to do in the first hour, when it is time for emergency dental care in Las Vegas, and what your options are if the tooth cannot be saved.

The Quick Answer

• Rinse with warm water, save any broken pieces, and call your dentist.
• Cover a sharp edge or open spot with dental wax or a pharmacy temporary filling, and chew on the other side.
• If the tooth cannot be saved, a dental implant can replace it, root and all.
• Go to the ER or call 911 for swelling that spreads, fever with swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a jaw or head injury.

What should I do right after I break a tooth?

Clean the area and protect the tooth until a dentist can see it. A chipped tooth or cracked tooth looks scary, but a few steps help.

• Rinse and save. Swish warm water, then put any broken pieces in a clean container to bring to your visit.
• Stop the bleeding. Press clean gauze on a bleeding gum or lip. If the bleeding will not stop, go to the ER.
• Cut the swelling. Hold a cold pack on the outside of your cheek.
• Cover sharp edges. Press dental wax over the edge so it does not cut your tongue.
• Ease the pain. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as the label directs, if it is safe for you. Do not put aspirin on your gums. It can burn the tissue.
• Call us. Tell us what happened. We will help you decide how soon to come in.

What should I do if a filling or crown falls out?

Keep the spot clean, cover it, and book a visit soon.

If your tooth filling fell out

Rinse with warm water. A temporary filling kit from the pharmacy can cover the hole for a short time. Chew on the other side and keep sticky food away. A temporary fix is not a repair. The tooth still needs a real filling.

If your crown came off

Find the crown, which some people call a cap, and keep it in a clean container. Do not use superglue or household glue to put it back. Glue can harm the tooth and the crown. Bring it to your visit, since it can sometimes be put back on. Learn more about dental crowns.

When is a broken tooth an emergency?

Most broken teeth need a dentist soon, not a hospital. Here is how to tell, side by side:

• Call Sahara Dental soon: A chip with no pain, a lost filling, a loose or lost crown, a sharp edge, or mild pain with hot and cold.
• Call us right away: Strong pain, a large piece missing, a tooth that feels loose, or a tooth knocked out of its socket.
• Go to the ER or call 911: Facial swelling that spreads, fever with swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, bleeding that will not stop, or a blow to the jaw or head.

If an adult tooth gets knocked out, hold it by the top, not the root. Rinse it with water if it is dirty, keep it in milk, and call a dentist right away. Time matters with a knocked-out tooth. The same steps work for kids. See our emergency dentistry page for more.

Which Halloween candy is hardest on teeth?

Hard and sticky candy do the most damage.

• Hard candy, candy apples, and popcorn balls. Biting down on them can chip a tooth. Let hard candy melt.
• Caramel, taffy, and gummies. These stick to teeth and can tug out old fillings.
• Plain chocolate. It melts fast, so it is the kinder choice for teeth.

How will a dentist fix a broken tooth?

The fix depends on how much of the tooth broke and whether the nerve is involved.

• A small chip. It may be smoothed or repaired with tooth-colored bonding.
• A lost or broken filling. The old filling is cleaned out and replaced with a new one.
• A bigger break. A crown can cover and protect the tooth that is left.
• A crack that reaches the nerve. A root canal may be needed to save the tooth. This is part of our general dentistry care.
• A tooth that cannot be saved. It may need to come out. A dental implant or a bridge can then fill the gap. More on that below.

Do not wait too long. A small crack can grow if you keep chewing on it.

What if a broken tooth cannot be saved?

If a tooth breaks below the gumline or splits down the root, it may need to come out. A dental implant can then replace the whole tooth, from the root up.

A dental implant is a small titanium post placed in your jawbone where the tooth was. Over a few months, the bone grows around it and locks it in place. Then a custom crown goes on top. Some people call it a tooth implant or an implant tooth. Because it is anchored in bone, it looks and works much like a natural tooth.

Why not just leave the gap?

A gap does more than change your smile. Tooth roots press on the jawbone when you chew, which keeps the bone strong. When a tooth is gone, the bone in that spot can shrink over time, and nearby teeth can drift into the space. You can learn more about dental implants in Las Vegas on our implants page.

Can an implant go in the same day the tooth comes out?

Sometimes. If the bone and gums around the tooth are healthy, the implant may be placed right after the tooth is removed. If there is infection or not enough bone, the area heals first, and a bone graft may be needed. Your dentist decides after an exam and X-rays. In many cases you can wear a temporary tooth while you heal.

Dental implant or bridge: which is better after a broken tooth?

Both can replace one missing tooth. The biggest difference is what holds the new tooth in place. Here is how they compare side by side:

• Dental implant: Replaces the root and the tooth. Stands on its own, so nearby teeth are not touched. Helps keep the jawbone healthy. Takes a few months. Built to last a long time with good care.
• Bridge: A false tooth held by crowns on the teeth on each side. Those teeth are filed down to hold it. Often faster and lower in cost at the start. Does not replace the root.

If the teeth next to the gap are healthy, many people choose an implant so those teeth stay untouched. Missing several teeth? Implants can also hold a bridge or a full set of permanent teeth. See our implant-supported dentures page, or read our post on dental implants vs. dentures.

Does insurance help pay to fix or replace a broken tooth?

Often, at least in part. Sahara Dental is in-network with most PPO plans, and our team verifies benefits for every new patient before treatment, so you know what your plan pays first. Many plans run on a calendar year, and unused benefits may not carry over. If a tooth has been bothering you, fall is a good time to fix it.

Thinking about an implant? Start with a free implant consultation. You leave with a clear plan and the cost before any work begins. Some PPO plans cover parts of implant treatment, like the exam, X-rays, extraction, or crown. We also offer financing through Cherry, so you can split the cost into payments. Read what changes the price in our post on dental implant cost in Las Vegas, or see our insurance and financing page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a broken tooth a dental emergency?

A broken tooth with pain, a sharp edge, or a big missing piece needs a dentist soon. A small chip with no pain can often wait a few days, but call so we can check it. Go to the ER or call 911 if you have facial swelling that spreads, fever with swelling, or trouble breathing or swallowing.

Should I glue my crown back on?

No. Do not use superglue or any household glue, because it can harm the tooth and the crown. Keep the crown in a clean container and bring it with you, and ask us before you try a pharmacy dental cement.

Can a broken tooth be replaced with a dental implant?

Yes. If a broken tooth cannot be saved, it can be removed and replaced with a dental implant. The implant replaces the root, and a crown on top replaces the part you see. Your dentist will check your bone and gums first to make sure an implant is a good fit.

How long does a dental implant take after a tooth is pulled?

It depends on your bone and gums. Sometimes the implant goes in the same day the tooth comes out, and sometimes the area needs to heal first. Many cases take a few months from start to finish, because the bone needs time to grow around the implant.

Will my PPO plan help pay to fix a broken tooth?

Many PPO plans cover part of fillings, crowns, and other repairs. Sahara Dental is in-network with most PPO plans, and our team verifies your benefits before treatment. If you still have benefits left this year, now is a good time to use them.

Get Help for a Broken Tooth in Las Vegas

Sahara Dental Center is a locally owned family practice that has served Las Vegas since 2003. Our office is at 4121 W Sahara Ave, close to Spring Valley. Our team will check your tooth and explain your options, from a simple repair to a tooth implant. Learn about our emergency dental care, call (702) 257-9090, or request a visit online.

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