A broken tooth should always be evaluated by your dentist to determine what type of treatment, if any, is needed. Broken teeth can be caused by any traumatic event involving the mouth or jaw, including being hit in the face, falling and smacking the jaw, or something as simple as biting down too hard on a piece of food. Tooth decay sometimes contributes to a broken tooth, but a perfectly healthy tooth can break if enough force is used.

 

Not every broken tooth will hurt; if it's a minor fracture or break, the enamel may be the only part damaged. If the tooth is damaged down to the nerve, you'll feel intermittent or constant pain that can be difficult to handle, particularly when trying to chew. If there is damage to the soft tissues or nerve inside the tooth, it will be more difficult to save the tooth, and a root canal may be required. The most important thing to remember is that quick action must be taken if you want to save the tooth.