What to Do When Your Child Cracks Their Tooth

A cracked tooth can be an upsetting experience, especially for kids. As a parent, it’s natural to worry about your child’s tooth, but the good news is that the team at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC has plenty of solutions. The first step is to call our office to schedule an urgent care visit, and then take a few additional steps to help your child stay comfortable in the meantime. 

1. First, stay calm

Most cracked teeth happen as a result of an injury, so there’s a good chance your child may be upset afterward. As a parent, staying calm helps your child calm down, too. Reiterate that you’ll seek immediate care and that their tooth will be repaired.

2. Manage pain

Cracked teeth can be very painful, especially if the crack extends into the deeper layers of your child’s tooth. Over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve pain until your child comes in for their visit. You can also apply an ice pack to the outside of their cheek to reduce swelling. Don’t put ice directly on the tooth. A dab or two of oil of cloves or a topical toothache product applied to the tooth can help, too.

3. Have them rinse — gently

Gently rinsing the area with warm water helps remove any debris. Consider adding some salt to the water to help reduce inflammation and swelling. If you’re using a toothache gel or oil of cloves, have them rinse before applying.

4. Keep any fragments

If the crack resulted in a piece of the tooth breaking off, save the fragment and bring it to your child’s appointment. Rinse the fragment gently with cool water to remove debris, then place it in a container of milk for safekeeping.

5. Keep their head elevated

A cracked tooth often involves a fair amount of swelling in the gums and tissues surrounding and supporting the tooth. Keeping your child’s head elevated helps prevent additional painful swelling.

6. Limit what they eat and drink

It’s a good idea to stick with soft foods and to avoid chewing on the side of the mouth with the cracked tooth. Avoid cold or hot foods and drinks since the tooth is likely to be extra sensitive. Avoid acidic foods and sweets, too.

Treating cracked teeth

Before recommending any treatment, we examine your child’s tooth and use digital X-rays to evaluate the extent of the damage.

Some cracked teeth can be treated with a dental crown designed to surround the tooth and strengthen it. Crowns are made of tooth-colored material to blend in with your child’s surrounding teeth, preserving their beautiful, healthy smile.

For more significant cracks, including cracks that extend far into the tooth, we may recommend a root canal to remove the damaged central part of the tooth, filling it with a special material. Afterward, we place a crown on the tooth to support it and strengthen it.

Prompt treatment is essential

Even a tiny crack can let bacteria into your child’s tooth, leading to serious infections and abscesses. If you suspect your child has a cracked tooth, call 929-229-0255 to book an urgent care visit at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City right away.