4 Ways To File Down A Sharp Tooth - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow Sharp Tooth? 4 Ways to Find Relief PDF download Download Article How do you manage a sharp tooth at home if you can't visit the dentist right away? Co-authored by Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: April 30, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Seeing a Dentist
    • |
  • Filing down the Tooth with a Nail File
    • |
  • Using an Emery Board to File the Tooth
    • |
  • Using Wax or Medication to Temporarily Relieve Pain
    • |
  • Expert Q&A
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Dr. Lewis Chen is a licensed Dentist in both New York and New Jersey, specializing in providing high-quality oral care in the form of preventative care. He holds an Economics degree from New York University. Dr. Chen earned his doctorate at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He graduated top of his class with the highest honors and distinction and was nominated and inducted into the only renowned, national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU). He then completed a comprehensive training program at the Bronx VA Medical Center and, shortly after, decided to pursue multiple practice ownership and management. Dr. Chen has acquired numerous accolades over the years, including New York Academy of Dentistry Exemplary Professional Conduct Award, Academy of General Dentistry Outstanding General Practitioner Award, American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award, and Pierre Fauchard Foundation Award. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 544,389 times.

Sharp tooth edges caused by injury can be irritating, possibly cutting your tongue or the inside of your cheek. In these cases, filing down the tooth at home with a nail file or an emery board may provide relief. However, if you have any pain in the actual tooth, it is dangerous to file down the tooth yourself.[1] In these cases, you can use temporary pain relievers, such as wax and medication, until you can see a dentist.

Disclaimer: Whenever possible, meet with a dentist to get your tooth repaired. Filing a tooth on your own should be a last resort—if done improperly, it can cause serious, long-term damage.

Easiest Way to File Down a Sharp Tooth

Get a nail file (or a diamond-encrusted nail file) and hold it horizontal to your tooth. File the tooth using back-and-forth strokes, taking care not to damage the enamel. Alternatively, use a non-metal emery board to file your tooth, placing it flat against the tooth and using back-and-forth motions.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 4:

Seeing a Dentist

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  1. Step 1 Search for dentists in your area online, in print, or through friends. 1 Search for dentists in your area online, in print, or through friends. If you are in severe pain, you may need to find an emergency dentist. If not, you can find dentists in your area through friends, the yellow pages, or the internet.[2] If you already have a dentist, go ahead and give them a call.
    • Find a dentist that is close enough for you to reach conveniently.
    • If you work somewhere with dental benefits, check with your employer to see what dentists are covered by your insurance.
    • If you need help affording dental care, try calling your state’s dental association and see what resources are available.
    • You can set up a free consultation at most dentists if you need help deciding.
  2. Step 2 Make an appointment. 2 Make an appointment. Make an appointment with the dentist you’ve selected and show up at the date and time to their office.
    • If the appointment is far in the future and you are experiencing pain, consider using orthodontic wax on the tooth or pain medication to relieve your pain in the meantime.
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  3. Step 3 Discuss the options with your dentist and decide on a treatment. 3 Discuss the options with your dentist and decide on a treatment. If you’re looking to file down the tooth for aesthetic reasons, ask your dentist about recontouring, a process where the tooth is reshaped for cosmetic reasons.[3] If the tooth is chipped, ask your dentist what treatments will make the most sense to protect the tooth.[4]
    • Your dentist may recommend dental burring, bonding, crowns, or dental implants.
    • With a burr, your dentist will polish the sharp areas down with a very fine diamond so the surface feels smooth.[5]
    • Make an informed decision with your dentist based on how serious the problem is and how much the procedures will likely cost.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 4:

Filing down the Tooth with a Nail File

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  1. Step 1 Find or buy a regular nail file or diamond-encrusted nail file. 1 Find or buy a regular nail file or diamond-encrusted nail file. These can be found online on or in a local drug store.
    • A regular nail file is cheaper and can get the job done, but a diamond encrusted nail file will be sharper and make the filing easier.
  2. Step 2 Hold the file horizontal to the tooth that needs filing. 2 Hold the file horizontal to the tooth that needs filing. Make sure that the tooth you intend to file is pain-free before filing, as pain in the tooth may indicate nerve damage and filing is not recommended.[6]
    • To get a good view of what you’re doing, stand in front of a mirror while positioning the file.
    • Check the position of the file on the tooth and be sure that you are not likely to file other teeth down in the process.
  3. Step 3 File the tooth down with a few back-and-forth strokes. 3 File the tooth down with a few back-and-forth strokes. A few strokes, especially when working with a diamond coated file, should bring the tooth to more of a curve and prevent pain and poking.
    • Go slowly and don’t overdo it. You want to be careful not to damage the enamel by filing the tooth down too much.
  4. Step 4 Monitor your pain over the next couple of days. 4 Monitor your pain over the next couple of days. If you begin to feel pain in the tooth, it is possible the enamel is damaged. If that’s the case, going to see a dentist is the best course of action.[7]
    • Damaged enamel can lead to many future problems, including tooth sensitivity, cavities, fracturing, and increased decay, so it is a good idea to see a dentist for treatment.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 4:

Using an Emery Board to File the Tooth

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  1. Step 1 Buy a non-metal emery board. 1 Buy a non-metal emery board. You can find an emery board online or at a local drug store.[8] It's best to buy an emery board that is not made of metal, as metal might cause damage.[9]
    • Some dentists do not recommend emery boards, because enamel is hard and may need something sharper, but it may be an OK option if only a small amount of filing is needed.
  2. Step 2 Place the emery board flat against your tooth. 2 Place the emery board flat against your tooth. Stand in front of a mirror so you have a good view of the tooth you wish to file down as well as the emery board.[10] As with using a nail file, you want to be sure that the tooth in question is pain-free.
    • If you are experiencing pain in the tooth, it is not a good idea to continue with filing.[11]
  3. Step 3 File down the tooth with a few back-and-forth strokes. 3 File down the tooth with a few back-and-forth strokes. You want to file down the tooth so that it is no longer cutting your mouth or tongue, but once that point has been reached it is best to stop.[12]
    • Be conservative with your filing, as you do not want to damage the enamel.
  4. Step 4 Pay attention to any pain in the tooth. 4 Pay attention to any pain in the tooth. If the tooth is causing pain, it is possible you have damaged the enamel. This can lead to dental problems in the future, so it is a good idea to go see a dentist.[13]
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Method 4 Method 4 of 4:

Using Wax or Medication to Temporarily Relieve Pain

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  1. Step 1 Find orthodontic wax at your local drug store. 1 Find orthodontic wax at your local drug store. If you cannot file the tooth down due to potential nerve damage and are waiting to see a dentist, coating the tooth with wax can provide temporary relief.[14]
  2. Step 2 Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain temporarily. 2 Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain temporarily. While this will not fix the problem, it can relieve the irritating symptoms until you have time to go to the dentist or sort out the root of the tooth pain.[15]
    • Be careful not to assume that the problem is gone just because the pain is.
    • Pain medication is not a long term solution, and you should try to see a dentist if pain persists. In some cases, waiting long periods before treatment can worsen the damage.
  3. Step 3 Eat soft, teeth-friendly foods. 3 Eat soft, teeth-friendly foods. When you are experiencing tooth pain, it can help to avoid food and drinks that might irritate the enamel and focus your diet on soft food that is less likely to irritate or damage tooth enamel.
    • Foods and drinks to avoid: sour candies, bread, alcohol, soda, ice, citrus, potato chips and dried fruits. Many of these are high in sugar and acid, which attacks enamel and leads to breakdown.[16]
    • Non-irritating soft foods: Applesauce, soft cheeses, soups, oatmeal, eggs, mashed potatoes, watermelon, yogurt, cottage cheese, noodles, rice.
  4. Step 4 Limit the amount of talking you’re doing. 4 Limit the amount of talking you’re doing. Especially if the sharp tooth is cutting into your mouth, it can help to avoid further cutting of the inside of your cheeks. If you can, try writing down brief messages rather than talk - you might even say you're on vocal rest for a bit.[17]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question Why is my tooth sharp? Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE Licensed Dentist Dr. Lewis Chen is a licensed Dentist in both New York and New Jersey, specializing in providing high-quality oral care in the form of preventative care. He holds an Economics degree from New York University. Dr. Chen earned his doctorate at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He graduated top of his class with the highest honors and distinction and was nominated and inducted into the only renowned, national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU). He then completed a comprehensive training program at the Bronx VA Medical Center and, shortly after, decided to pursue multiple practice ownership and management. Dr. Chen has acquired numerous accolades over the years, including New York Academy of Dentistry Exemplary Professional Conduct Award, Academy of General Dentistry Outstanding General Practitioner Award, American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award, and Pierre Fauchard Foundation Award. Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE Licensed Dentist Expert Answer Sometimes, a tooth becomes sharp when you use it a lot. It's like sharpening a tool—the more you use your tooth, the sharper it gets. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 25 Helpful 20
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Warnings

  • Enamel damage can cause serious issues down the line, and in many cases, seeing a dentist right away will be your best option.[18] If you are going to try to file the tooth down, do so with care and consider following up with a dentist if there are any problems. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
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References

  1. ↑ https://mypenndentist.org/dental-tips/2021/12/01/emergency-dentist/
  2. ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/dental-care-concerns/how-to-choose-a-dentist
  3. ↑ https://www.deltadentalmn.org/delta-dental-101/dental-terms
  4. ↑ https://mypenndentist.org/dental-tips/2021/12/01/emergency-dentist/
  5. ↑ Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE. Licensed Dentist. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://www.sarasotadentistry.com/dental-blog/my-broken-tooth-is-cutting-my-tongue-what-can-i-do-to-make-it-feel-better/
  7. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10946-cavities
  8. ↑ https://www.sarasotadentistry.com/dental-blog/my-broken-tooth-is-cutting-my-tongue-what-can-i-do-to-make-it-feel-better/
  9. ↑ https://healthfully.com/file-chipped-tooth-7739886.html
More References (9)
  1. ↑ https://healthfully.com/file-chipped-tooth-7739886.html
  2. ↑ https://www.sarasotadentistry.com/dental-blog/my-broken-tooth-is-cutting-my-tongue-what-can-i-do-to-make-it-feel-better/
  3. ↑ https://healthfully.com/file-chipped-tooth-7739886.html
  4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10946-cavities
  5. ↑ https://www.sarasotadentistry.com/dental-blog/my-broken-tooth-is-cutting-my-tongue-what-can-i-do-to-make-it-feel-better
  6. ↑ https://www.sarasotadentistry.com/dental-blog/my-broken-tooth-is-cutting-my-tongue-what-can-i-do-to-make-it-feel-better
  7. ↑ https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/worst-foods-for-your-teeth#3
  8. ↑ https://www.sarasotadentistry.com/dental-blog/my-broken-tooth-is-cutting-my-tongue-what-can-i-do-to-make-it-feel-better/
  9. ↑ https://www.sarasotadentistry.com/dental-blog/my-broken-tooth-is-cutting-my-tongue-what-can-i-do-to-make-it-feel-better/

About This Article

Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE Co-authored by: Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE Licensed Dentist This article was co-authored by Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Dr. Lewis Chen is a licensed Dentist in both New York and New Jersey, specializing in providing high-quality oral care in the form of preventative care. He holds an Economics degree from New York University. Dr. Chen earned his doctorate at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He graduated top of his class with the highest honors and distinction and was nominated and inducted into the only renowned, national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU). He then completed a comprehensive training program at the Bronx VA Medical Center and, shortly after, decided to pursue multiple practice ownership and management. Dr. Chen has acquired numerous accolades over the years, including New York Academy of Dentistry Exemplary Professional Conduct Award, Academy of General Dentistry Outstanding General Practitioner Award, American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award, and Pierre Fauchard Foundation Award. This article has been viewed 544,389 times. 46 votes - 68% Co-authors: 4 Updated: April 30, 2025 Views: 544,389 Categories: Tooth Health

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

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Article SummaryX

Before you file down your sharp tooth, visit your dentist to treat any tooth pain you’re having, since you may need a dental procedure. If your tooth is not in pain, you can safely file it down with a non-mental emery board. To do this, place the emery board against the bottom of the tooth and slowly file it back and forth a few times. Just make sure you don’t file it too much, as this could damage the enamel of your tooth. To learn how to use wax to protect your mouth from a sharp tooth, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE Co-authored by: Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE Licensed Dentist 46 votes - 68% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 4 Updated: April 30, 2025 Views: 544,389

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