A broken tooth is more than a cosmetic issue — it’s a dental emergency. Whether it happens during a fall, while chewing something hard, or because of long-term wear and tear, a broken tooth requires immediate attention to prevent pain, infection, or permanent damage.

At Mountain View Periodontics, we help Herriman residents restore function and confidence with timely, expert care. Here’s what to do next if you’ve chipped, cracked, or broken a tooth.

Step 1: Don’t Panic — But Act Fast

A broken tooth can be painful and alarming, but staying calm and taking smart action can protect your oral health. First, rinse your mouth with warm water. If there’s bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze.

If you’ve lost part of your tooth, try to locate the fragment and store it in milk or saliva in a clean container. Then, call your dentist in Herriman UT immediately.

We offer emergency dentistry for situations just like this — including:

• Tooth removal in Herriman UT (if the tooth can’t be saved)
• Repair of fractured crowns or fillings
• Management of gum trauma caused by the break

Step 2: Control Swelling or Pain

Apply a cold compress to your cheek or jaw to reduce swelling. If you’re in significant pain, over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen can help until you see your periodontist or dentist. Avoid chewing on the affected side.

If the break has exposed a nerve, you may experience sharp pain — especially to hot or cold. In such cases, emergency dental care is crucial.

Step 3: Get Professional Treatment

Once you’re at our office, we’ll assess the extent of the break using advanced imaging. Treatment will depend on how severe the damage is:

Minor Chips

For small cosmetic chips, bonding or veneers may restore the tooth's appearance.

Moderate Breaks

A dental crown may be necessary if the damage compromises the structure of the tooth. We offer dental crowns in Herriman UT designed to match your natural teeth.

Severe Breaks or Infection

If the tooth root is damaged or infected, we may need to perform a root canal or extract the tooth. In these cases, restorative solutions like dental implants Herriman Utah patients trust can help rebuild your smile.

What If You’ve Broken a Crown or Veneer?

Even restorations can break. Crowns may loosen over time, and veneers may chip under extreme pressure. Call us as soon as possible — we offer cosmetic dentistry Herriman Utah patients turn to for natural-looking repairs.

We also help with:

• Repair or replacement of dentures Herriman UT
• Restoration of broken or loose dental implants
• Full smile makeovers following tooth loss

Long-Term Considerations After a Broken Tooth

After treatment, we’ll guide you through protecting your restored tooth. This may include:

• Dietary recommendations to prevent future fractures
• A nightguard if grinding is a concern
• Periodic checkups to monitor healing and surrounding structures

If you’ve experienced bone loss or had gum issues that contributed to the break, we may also recommend follow-up care with our periodontist Herriman UT patients trust.

Prevention Is Always Better

To minimize the risk of breaking a tooth in the future, be mindful of:

• Not chewing on hard objects like pens, ice, or hard candy
• Wearing a mouthguard if you play sports
• Addressing bite issues that put stress on individual teeth

At Mountain View Periodontics, we offer comprehensive oral care — from preventive dentistry to restorative and cosmetic solutions. Whether you’re in need of oral surgery in Herriman Utah or cosmetic treatments like veneers, we’re here to support your lifelong dental health.