What to Do if Your Tooth Cracks

Posted on 12/30/2019 by Dr. J. Derek Tieken

If you have never broken a tooth it can be a traumatic experience. Knowing what to do can help you get through the experience calmly as well as safely. If you have children, especially the ones who engage in sports, knowing how to handle a cracked tooth is a vital tool.

Common Reasons for a Cracked Tooth

Probably one of the most common reasons that either you or your children will experience a cracked tooth will come from physical sports. Yet, it's extremely common to experience a cracked tooth by biting on something you didn't expect to be hard, like a bone in a piece of chicken. Also, there are some individuals who grind their teeth at night, it can cause a break or soften them up to break at some later point. Depending on how serious the break is and the amount of pain you are feeling, it will determine your next steps. Being familiar with your dental practice emergency procedure can help you be prepared in the future as well.

What You Can Do
At first notice, call and schedule an appointment. If the crack is extremely minor and painless, waiting for a regular dental appointment is okay. You'll need to be attentive to the foods you eat in the meantime. For large breaks that split the tooth in half or expose the nerve, seek an emergency visit.

Place the broken piece of tooth in a cup of milk if it is a break to the root. Immediately rinse your mouth out with warm water or salt water, then apply a cold compress to the cheek near the tooth. Never put ice cubes in your mouth. Applying some gauze to the broken tooth will help soak up bleeding, an empty wet tea bag can be used as a substitute. Bleeding should stop in ten minutes or so. Severe breaks should receive a dental visit within 24 hours.

If a dental visit isn't possible within 24 hours, you can purchase dental cement and instructions at your local drug store. Taking over the counter pain to help with the discomfort until you can be seen.

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What to Do if Your Tooth Cracks

Common Reasons for a Cracked Tooth

View Dr. Tieken's Best-Selling Book: The Million Dollar Smile

View Dr. Tieken's Best-Selling Book:
The Million Dollar Smile