Cracked a Tooth on Candy? What to Do Next

A Crack Can Feel Small—or Become Urgent

A sudden crack, sharp pain when biting, or new sensitivity after hard or sticky food can signal a damaged tooth, filling, or crown. The cause and severity cannot be confirmed from symptoms alone, so a dental examination is the safest next step.

What to Do Right Away

• Stop chewing on the affected side.
• Rinse gently with lukewarm water.
• If the area is bleeding, apply clean gauze with light pressure.
• Use a cold compress outside the cheek for swelling.
• Save any loose fragment or restoration in a clean container.
• Contact a dentist promptly and describe what happened.

Do not place aspirin on the tooth or gum, and do not use household glue to reattach a restoration. Over-the-counter pain medicine may help some people when used exactly as labeled, but it is not a substitute for evaluation.

When to Seek Urgent Help

Call a dentist promptly for persistent pain, pain when biting, temperature sensitivity, a sharp edge, or a lost filling or crown. Seek emergency medical care for trouble breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, major facial trauma, or rapidly increasing swelling with serious symptoms.