How to fix a cracked tooth naturally

Can you fix a cracked tooth naturally?

No. Cleveland Clinic says a cracked tooth cannot heal on its own and you cannot fix it at home, though prompt treatment may save it, and the AAE says cracks do not heal like broken bones and may keep progressing. Healthline says doctors do not advise home fixes for broken teeth and that there are no effective home remedies to prevent further injury. A temporary repair kit can protect the tooth until you are seen but does not treat the deeper problem.

How to fix a chipped tooth

Cleveland Clinic says minor chips often need little treatment, a provider may buff jagged edges and over time the tooth may smooth out more on its own. Repair options it lists are polishing for small chips, bonding with composite resin, veneers, crowns, fillings (usually for back teeth) and a root canal if a nerve is exposed, often followed by a crown. Healthline adds reattaching the fragment, hemisection of a fractured molar root and extraction with an implant. Bonding is often done in one visit.

How to fix a chipped tooth at home permanently

You cannot. Healthline says temporary repair kits, such as dental wax or moldable material, can help until you see a dentist but do not treat deeper problems, and wax should not be used on large chips, since floss can pull it off and take more tooth with it. For a small sharp edge, wax can cover it. Cleveland Clinic says to save a chip fragment, store it in milk and bring it to your appointment, where the provider may be able to reattach it. Healthline suggests wrapping a fragment in wet gauze.

What to do until you see a dentist

Healthline says to rinse with warm water, apply pressure to stop bleeding, hold a cold compress on the outside of the face to reduce swelling, avoid chewing on the damaged side and use over-the-counter pain relievers at the recommended dose. Cleveland Clinic suggests an ice pack, salt water rinses and NSAIDs to reduce pain and swelling. Healthline mentions clove oil as a numbing option, which we do not recommend without advice from a dentist or pharmacist, since it can irritate soft tissue.

How to pull out a cracked or broken tooth at home

Do not. The sources we read give no home method, and Healthline says the sharp edges of a cracked tooth can cut soft tissue and lead to infection. Cleveland Clinic says extraction is considered when a crack causes severe damage to the root and nerves, and is done by a dentist, after which the tooth may be replaced with a bridge or implant. Pulling a tooth yourself risks bleeding, infection and leaving root fragments behind. If a tooth is loose, broken or very painful, see a dentist.

Can a cracked tooth be saved?

Often yes if treated early, according to the AAE. A cracked tooth can be treated with a root canal and crown if the pulp is affected, a split tooth cannot be saved intact though part may be kept, and a vertical root fracture may need extraction or endodontic surgery. If the crack extends below the gumline, the AAE says the tooth cannot be saved and must be extracted. Cleveland Clinic lists five types: craze lines, fractured cusp, vertical cracked tooth, split tooth and vertical root fracture.

How do you fix a fractured jaw?

That is a different problem. Cleveland Clinic says a broken jaw is a medical emergency, that mild fractures usually heal with a liquid diet for about four to six weeks, and that severe fractures may need surgery with plates or bars. See our guide on how long TMJ and a broken jaw take to heal.

Questions to ask your dentist

Ask how deep the crack goes.

• How deep is the crack, and does it reach the pulp?
• Can the tooth be saved, and how?
• Do I need bonding, a crown, a root canal or extraction?
• What should I do about pain and sharp edges until treatment?
• What signs mean I should come back urgently?

Frequently asked questions