3922 148th St SE Ste 201

Mill Creek, WA 98012-4752

(425) 337-7300

What to do when you crack a tooth

What to do when you crack a tooth


A cracked tooth is one of the most common dental emergencies, occurring from falls, accidents, or wear and tear. It can range from minor chips to a large portion of teeth breaking. Even though small chips can wait, major cracks with bleeding and pain need immediate attention. A crack requires emergency dental care so that there is no permanent damage to the tooth. Dr. Chad Slocum and Dr. Sara Lundgaard of Penny Creek Family & Implant Dentistry in Mill Creek, WA, handle all dental emergencies, including cracked teeth.

Before Visiting The Emergency Dentist

When a dental emergency occurs, patients are confused about how to manage it. Your emergency dentist, advises you to do a few things at home if you crack a tooth. You should rinse the mouth with warm water, use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to ease the pain, and apply pressure if there is any bleeding. You can use ice packs to reduce swelling. Make sure to preserve the broken piece of tooth and bring it to the dental office. If you notice cracks, bleeding, swelling, or discoloration of teeth after a fall you should seek dental care immediately.

What Will Your Emergency Dentist Do?

It is very important to treat a cracked tooth as it will not heal on its own. A crack in the teeth can cause pain and if left untreated, it causes oral infections. The emergency dentist will reattach the broken piece of the tooth if available or bond a tooth-colored filling to the broken tooth. If the tooth is badly broken with the crack reaching the nerves, a simple filling may not do the job. The dentist will perform root canal treatment and cover it with a crown.

Timely treatment of cracked teeth is essential to ensure the proper function and appearance of your teeth. Contact the office of your emergency dentists, Dr. Chad Slocum and Dr. Sara Lundgaard of Penny Creek Family & Implant Dentistry in Mill Creek, WA, by calling (425) 337-7300 today.