Broken Tooth or Dental Appliance: First Aid
If a tooth or dental appliance breaks, take the following steps.
- Find any pieces of tooth or the broken dental appliance. Take them with you when you go to see your dentist. Your dentist will want to check for missing pieces if there is a wound. They may also ask you if you think you could have swallowed or inhaled pieces into the lungs (aspirated).
- Remove loose dentures and the parts of broken dentures.
- Reduce bleeding. If the top (crown) of a tooth has been broken, apply a small piece of cotton or gauze soaked in hydrogen peroxide to the crown to help reduce bleeding.
- Protect your mouth. If an orthodontic wire, bracket, or jagged edge of a tooth is poking you, roll a piece of candle wax or orthodontic wax and press it onto the part. A broken wire can be pressed toward your teeth with a pencil eraser.
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Current as of: October 1, 2025
Current as of: October 1, 2025