A broken tooth or lost filling may not hurt immediately, but exposed tissue can become sensitive or fracture further. Protect the area and arrange a dental appointment promptly.
This content is general information, not a personal diagnosis or treatment recommendation. A dental examination is needed for individual symptoms.
Seek emergency help for bleeding that will not stop, major facial trauma, an airway risk, rapidly increasing swelling or severe uncontrolled pain.
First steps
Rinse gently with warm water. Apply a cold compress outside the face if there is swelling. Keep any fragment you find in a clean container and take it to the appointment.
How can you protect the area?
Avoid hard foods and chew on the other side. Pharmacy dental wax may protect the cheek from a sharp edge. Never use household glue in the mouth.
Why should you not wait?
The depth of a crack cannot be judged from appearance alone. Early repair may be simple, while a progressing crack or infection can increase the need for root canal treatment or extraction.