What to Do When You Crack a Tooth?
San Antonio, TX

Biting into something unexpectedly hard or taking an accidental hit to the mouth can leave you with a cracked tooth before you even realize what happened. The pain might hit immediately, or it could creep in slowly, making eating and drinking a nightmare. Either way, ignoring it isn’t an option. A cracked tooth may result in infections, sensitivity, and even loss of the tooth if not treated. The good news is that you have a list of tips to handle cracked tooth handy to act quickly and avoid further damage to your tooth.

Follow the following tips to handle a cracked tooth:

1. Rinse Your Mouth and Evaluate the Damage

The first thing you need to do is rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area. If you notice any visible cracks or tooth fragments, attempt to gather any fragments and store them safely.

• Don’t use hot or cold water, as extreme temperatures may cause pain.
• If there is bleeding, use gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze.
• Notice any swelling or rough edges that may be irritating your cheeks or tongue.

2. Minimize Swelling and Control Pain

A broken tooth is very painful, and the sooner you control the pain, the better.

• Use a cold compress on the side of your face where the tooth broke to minimize swelling.
• Take an over-the-counter pain medication to relieve discomfort, but do not put aspirin directly on the tooth.
• If the crack has exposed a nerve, do not chew on that side so as not to irritate it.

3. Cushion the Tooth against Additional Damage

Until you visit a dentist, you’ll want to avoid further damaging the cracked tooth.

• Don’t chew on hard or sticky foods, as they have the potential to exacerbate the crack.
• Cover sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum to shield your tongue and gums.
• Avoid hard foods and liquids to prevent putting pressure on the tooth.

4. Call a Dentist Right Away

A cracked tooth won’t heal by itself even if the pain goes away. The sooner you go in, the less likely there will be complications.

• Contact a San Antonio dentist for an assessment as soon as possible.
• Explain your symptoms clearly so they can determine if it’s an emergency.
• If the crack is serious, they might suggest a crown, bonding, or even a root canal.

5. Practice Long-Term Prevention Techniques

Once the cracked tooth has been treated, prevention of future damage is important.

• Don’t chew ice or hard candy or use your teeth to open packages.
• Wear a mouthguard if you grind your teeth at night or participate in contact sports.
• Keep regular dental appointments to detect any small cracks before they become large problems.

All cracks are not created equal. Some could be tiny and hardly visible, while others will split a tooth in two. Either way, swift action is what can truly save your tooth and prevent complications down the road. If ever you find yourself in this dilemma, using these tips to handle a cracked tooth can spare you unnecessary pain and more invasive procedures in the long run.