No pain does not mean no problem. A filling that has cracked, a corner of tooth that has broken off or a crown that has come away can feel perfectly comfortable for days or weeks, and that is exactly why many people leave them alone. The damage is still there, though, and an unsealed or weakened tooth tends to get worse with time, often in ways that are cheaper and simpler to fix if caught early.
Why a broken tooth can feel completely normal
A tooth has a hard outer shell of enamel, a layer of dentine beneath it, and the pulp, with its nerve and blood supply, in the centre. Fillings and crowns are there to seal over places where enamel and dentine have already been lost to decay, wear or earlier treatment.
When a restoration breaks or a piece of tooth chips away, that seal is lost. Freshly exposed dentine is often sensitive to cold, sweet or air, but not always. Older teeth tend to lay down extra dentine over the years, which can dull the response, a deeply filled tooth may react less, and a tooth that has had root canal treatment has no nerve left to react at all. So a tooth can be quite badly damaged and still feel fine.
While it feels fine, two things are happening. Plaque and food can reach parts of the tooth that used to be sealed off, so decay can start or restart underneath. And a thin or unsupported edge is more likely to break further when you bite on it. Neither of these improves with time.
Four kinds of damage that are easy to ignore
A cracked or partly broken filling
You may notice a line in the filling, a rough edge your tongue keeps finding, or floss that shreds in one spot. Even if most of the filling is still there, the seal around it may no longer be tight, which leaves a route for decay under the edge.
A chipped tooth
Chips often come from biting on something hard or a knock to a front tooth. A tiny chip in the enamel at the very edge is a different matter from a break that has exposed a large area of yellowish dentine or come close to the pulp. A pink or red spot in the broken area can mean the pulp is exposed, and that needs to be seen urgently.
A crown that has come off
The tooth under a crown was shaped to fit inside it, and it is usually small, tapered and has little enamel left. Without its cover it is easy to damage, and neighbouring and opposing teeth can start to drift into the space, which can stop the crown fitting again if it is left for long. Our guide on what to do when a crown falls off has more detail.
A filling that has fallen out
The original cavity is open again, and the tooth walls around it are often thin and crumbly. Food packs into the hole, and the remaining edges can break away under normal chewing.
How soon to be seen
Not every painless chip needs a same-day appointment. As a general guide:
| What you notice | Suggested timing |
|---|---|
| A tiny chip at the edge of a tooth that feels smooth, with no dark spot | Mention it at your next routine visit, or sooner if it bothers you |
| A filling with a crack, rough edge or visible gap | Book within the next week or two rather than waiting months |
| A filling that has fallen out, leaving a hole | Book within a few days |
| A crown that has come off | Book within a few days, and bring the crown with you |
| A break showing a pink or red spot, or sensitivity that starts after the injury | Seek an appointment as soon as possible |
| Any of the above with facial swelling, fever or trouble swallowing | Same day, or a hospital emergency department if you cannot see a dentist |
Looking after the tooth until your appointment
- Chew on the other side, and avoid hard, sticky and crunchy foods on the damaged side.
- If a sharp edge is catching your tongue or cheek, press a small piece of dental wax from a pharmacy over it.
- Keep brushing the area gently. Plaque left around exposed tooth is a problem in its own right.
- Keep any broken piece of tooth in a little milk so it does not dry out, and keep a crown that has come off in a clean container. A crown can often be cleaned and recemented, and a tooth fragment can sometimes be bonded back on.
- Do not use superglue or household adhesive on a crown. It can seal bacteria in, damage the tooth and make it harder to refit the crown properly.
If it starts to hurt later
Sometimes a tooth that felt fine after a chip or a lost filling becomes sensitive to cold or sweet weeks later, or starts to ache. That usually means the exposed area has progressed and the pulp is now reacting. Book promptly at that stage. A tooth that develops a gum boil, swelling or throbbing pain may have an infection, which our article on tooth abscess signs and treatment explains.
If you are worried that a tooth has broken too far to keep, our guide on whether a tooth can be saved explains how that decision is made. For cracks that do come with sharp pain on biting, see our cracked tooth syndrome guide.
Common questions
Can a cracked filling wait a few months if it does not hurt?
It is safer to have it checked within a week or two. The seal may already be broken even without symptoms, and the crack can spread with normal chewing.
Is it all right to keep eating normally with a chipped tooth?
Eat on the other side and avoid hard, sticky or crunchy food on the damaged side until it has been checked. Biting pressure on a weakened tooth is what turns small chips into bigger breaks.
How can I tell if a chip is minor?
A small, smooth chip at the edge of a tooth, with no dark area and no sensitivity, is more likely to be minor. A rough or unstable edge, a large area of exposed yellow dentine, a pink spot or new sensitivity are reasons to be seen sooner.
If a chip, crack or lost filling has been on your mind, it is worth having it looked at before it becomes a bigger job. Our dentists see broken teeth and lost restorations regularly. You can find current new patient offers on our current deals page.
