text: Teeth are remarkably strong, but they can chip, fracture or break. Teeth usually break as a result of trauma — from biting down on something hard, for example, or from a blow to the face. A child may fracture a tooth falling off a bike or curb during play. Cavities that have weakened the tooth also can cause chipping or fractures.\n\nIf a large piece of the tooth breaks off, it can hurt because the nerve inside the tooth may be damaged. If the nerve inside the tooth is exposed to air, saliva, or hot or cold foods or drinks, it can be extremely uncomfortable.\n\nWhen a tooth cracks or fractures, it may or may not hurt. You may not notice the damage immediately. Minor tooth fractures are unlikely to cause symptoms. Deeper fractures can be painful because the damage may extend to the nerve inside the tooth. Pain from fractures may be constant or may come and go. Many people feel pain when they chew because as they chew they apply pressure to the tooth. As the fractured tooth bites down on the food, the crack in the tooth gets wider, but once the pressure is released, the crack closes again.\n\nLarger fractures may cause a portion of the tooth to break off. \n\n \n  What You Can Do \n \n \n\nFractured Teeth \nThere is no way to treat fractured teeth at home. You need to see your dentist whenever a tooth is sensitive to changes in temperature or if it hurts while you're eating. Pain that's constant is a serious warning sign because it may mean that a fracture has damaged the nerve and live tissues inside the tooth. \nBroken Teeth \nYou'll want to see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will need to determine if the break was caused by decay and if the nerve is in danger. Adults with a damaged nerve usually will require root canal treatment, but in children, there's a possibility the nerve can be saved if the dentist is able to treat the problem immediately.\n\nIn the meantime:\n\nSave the pieces. If the break was relatively clean, your dentist may be able to cement the tooth back together as a temporary measure. \nRinse your mouth well with warm water. If you were able to save the tooth\nfragment(s), rinse them under running water. \nIf an area is bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. \nApply a cold compress to the cheek or lips over the broken tooth. This will help reduce swelling and relieve pain. \nIf you can't get to your dentist right away, cover the broken surface of the tooth that is in your mouth with temporary dental cement, available in pharmacies. \nTake an over-the-counter pain reliever. \n \n  What Your Dentist Will Do \n \n \n\nFractured Teeth \nThere are several types of tooth fractures, each of which requires different treatments. These include: \nMinor cracks — Also called "craze lines," these are superficial fractures that affect only the tooth's enamel, the outer white part of the tooth. Minor cracks rarely need treatment. However, your dentist may lightly polish the area to smooth out any rough spots. \n\n\nChips — Minor chips don't always need treatment, although your dentist may recommend repairing the damage with filling material to prevent it from getting worse or to make the tooth look better. If the chip is in the front of the mouth, your dentist probably will use a tooth-colored filling. Often, if the chip is very small, your dentist may lightly sand the area to smooth out any rough spots. \n\n\nCusp fractures — These affect the pointed chewing surfaces (the cusps) of the teeth. They usually do not affect the pulp and are unlikely to cause significant pain. They may interfere with normal chewing, however, so your dentist may need to repair the damage. Minor cusp fractures sometimes are repaired by filing the surfaces of the tooth to restore the shape of the tooth. Frequently, these fractures will require an onlay or crown, in which the tooth is covered with a metal or porcelain material. \n\n