Managing a Cracked or Fractured Tooth: Essential First Aid Steps Before Appointment

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A chipped or cracked tooth can be alarming to deal with, but knowing the right steps can help minimize further damage and ease the pain of an injury. Whether your tooth has cracked due to an accident, a bite into a tough food, or even grinding your teeth in your sleep, an injury like this requires immediate action. There are always proper first-aid steps you can take to protect against a dental emergency, and then see a dentist, too.

Here are the first aid steps to take when you’ve chipped or cracked your tooth. By following these steps, you can take the first action to lessen the pain you are feeling. If you need immediate help, it may be in your best interest to contact an emergency dentist in Skokie, as they will have a dental professional available.

Steps to Take Right After a Cracked or Fractured Tooth

A cracked or fractured tooth can be irritating to deal with, but with a little care, you can manage until you can reach a dentist. The first things you take care of can reduce pain and damage. This is what you can do:

1. Rinse Your Mouth with Warm Water

If your mouth is injured and you have a cracked tooth, gently rinse your mouth with warm water. This will help remove food particles or debris from the injury and will not add to the already present pain. Avoid using cold or hot water.

2. Use a Cold Compress on Your Cheek

A cold compress applied to the side of your cheek can help reduce swelling from the cracked tooth. This will help soothe the pain. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it against your cheek for 15-20 minutes.

3. Avoid Chewing on the Affected Side

Refrain from eating or putting any pressure on the side of your mouth with the cracked tooth. This can cause further damage to or irritation of the cracked tooth, worsening your pain. Stick to liquids and foods that don’t require much chewing.

4. Use Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

You may feel pain after chipping or cracking a tooth, so an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen should do the trick. Don’t place any aspirin directly on the tooth, though, as this will irritate the gum.

5. Protect the Tooth with Dental Wax (If Necessary)

If a chipped or cracked tooth is creating sharp edges, use dental wax to cover it to prevent discomfort and further damage to your mouth or gums. Dental wax can be bought at most drugstores.

6. Keep the Tooth Clean

Make sure to keep the cracked or fractured tooth clean. Gently brush around the tooth with a soft-bristle toothbrush and floss to keep food from building up around the chip.

7. Call Your Emergency Dentist in Skokie

Once you have addressed the pain, you should call an emergency dentist in Skokie for further care. Treating a cracked or fractured tooth is vital to prevent infection and further complications.

What to Expect at the Emergency Dentist

Your emergency dentist will be keen to assess the extent of the damage to the tooth. Depending on the severity of the crack, the dentist may suggest that your tooth receive any one of the following treatments.

1. Dental Bonding: For very small cracks in teeth, dental bonding is used. Here, a tooth-colored resin is applied to the crack to restore the tooth’s shape.
2. Crown: If your tooth is seriously cracked, you may require a dental crown to place on top of the cracked tooth, to shield it from further injury and restore its function.
3. Root Canal: If your fractured tooth contains its pulp, the dentist may need to perform a root canal to treat any infection and save the tooth.
4. Extraction: If the damage is beyond repair, then the dentist will extract your tooth and advise on options for its replacement (i.e., a dental implant).

As every case is individual, your emergency dentist will be able to advise you on the specific treatment plan, taking into account the extent of the damage to your tooth. Getting professional care sooner will ensure the most successful outcomes for your oral health.

Tips to Protect Your Teeth from Cracking in the Future

While there’s nothing we can do to completely avoid cracking teeth, there are steps we can take to minimize our risk.

1. Wear a Mouthguard: Wearing a mouthguard at night or during contact sports can help protect your teeth from accidental impacts. Custom-fitted mouth guards ensure optimal comfort.
2. Don’t Eat Hard Foods: While they may be satisfying to eat, they also pose a significant risk of cracking or fracturing your teeth. Things like hard candy, ice, and even popcorn kernels are highly risky!
3. Go to the Dentist Regularly: A routine dental examination will help the dentist spot weak enamel or fillings before problems escalate and you risk fracturing them. A dental examination also helps identify any signs of teeth grinding (bruxism) that may be causing the cracked teeth.
4. Get Proper Treatment: If you have a chipped tooth, then it needs to be fixed soon. A filling or crown can prevent teeth from splitting or breaking in the future.

Restoring Your Smile with Professional Care

Accidents happen, but if you have a fractured tooth, getting prompt care will make all the difference in the world. From rinsing the mouth out with warm water to calling an emergency dentist in Skokie, your immediate response will do everything it can to reduce pain and minimize damage.

If a dental emergency strikes, Skokie Dental is ready to provide the care you need. If you’ve broken or cracked your tooth, call us immediately so you can be treated as soon as possible and get your smile back to normal.

Questions People Ask About Cracked or Fractured Tooth