A broken wisdom tooth needs prompt dental attention. Rinse with warm water, manage pain with ibuprofen, and call your dentist. Most broken wisdom teeth are extracted rather than restored. If you have severe pain, swelling, or signs of infection, call us right away for same-day care.
What You'll Learn
What To Do Right Away
Rinse with warm water
Gently rinse your mouth to clean the area and remove any debris or blood.
Control bleeding
If there is bleeding from the gum tissue, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze for a few minutes.
Take ibuprofen for pain
Over-the-counter ibuprofen can help manage pain and reduce inflammation while you wait to be seen.
Avoid chewing on that side
Chewing on a broken tooth can worsen the break and cause more pain. Stick to soft foods and the opposite side.
Call your dentist
A broken wisdom tooth needs to be evaluated. Call us to schedule an appointment — same day if you have significant pain, swelling, or signs of infection.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Break?
Wisdom teeth are particularly prone to breaking for several reasons:
Partial eruption
A wisdom tooth that has only partially broken through the gum is harder to clean and more vulnerable to decay, which weakens the tooth structure.
Decay
Because wisdom teeth are at the very back of the mouth, they are difficult to brush and floss effectively. Decay can silently weaken the tooth until it breaks.
Impaction
An impacted wisdom tooth is under pressure from surrounding bone and teeth. This pressure can cause the tooth to crack over time.
Biting on hard objects
Chewing ice, hard candy, or other hard objects can crack any tooth — but wisdom teeth are especially vulnerable if they are already weakened.
Call Us Right Away If You Have These Signs
Severe or throbbing pain that does not respond to ibuprofen
Swelling in the jaw, cheek, or neck
Fever alongside tooth pain
Bad taste or pus near the broken tooth
Difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing
Frequently Asked Questions
Broken Wisdom Tooth? We Can Help.
A broken wisdom tooth needs prompt attention to prevent infection and further damage. Call Merchants Walk Dental in Marietta for a same-day evaluation — we will assess the situation and get you comfortable quickly.
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