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Emergency Dental Guide

Cracked or Broken Tooth: Do You Need a Dentist Tonight?

Not all cracked teeth are emergencies — it depends on what fractured and how deep it goes. This guide helps you assess urgency.

Fracture types by urgency

Emergency — see a dentist tonight

  • Tooth split vertically into the root (vertical root fracture)
  • Cusp fracture exposing the pulp — intense pain, sensitivity to air
  • Broken tooth with sharp edge cutting the tongue or cheek
  • Tooth knocked loose or partially displaced (luxation injury)

Urgent — see a dentist within 24–48 hours

  • Craze lines (surface-only cracks) causing sharp pain when biting and releasing
  • Fractured cusp — piece broke off but pulp is not exposed
  • Broken filling causing sensitivity

Routine — schedule within a week

  • Small chip on a front tooth — no pain, no sharp edges
  • Lost crown with no underlying pain

First aid for a broken tooth

  1. Rinse with warm salt water to clean the area
  2. Apply dental wax or sugar-free gum over any sharp edges to protect soft tissue
  3. Take ibuprofen for pain — avoid putting it directly on the gum
  4. Save any broken pieces in milk if you have them
  5. Avoid chewing on that side until you see a dentist

Not sure how urgent your cracked tooth is? Let Openchair's triage assess it in 2 minutes.

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