What causes a tooth to break on holiday candy, and how is it treated? Dentists repair cracked teeth with bonding or crowns, often the same day.
One bite of peppermint bark or a gingerbread cookie, a sharp crack, and suddenly the holidays feel a lot less merry. A broken tooth during the holiday season is more common than most people realize, and the good news is that it’s almost always fixable. Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry repairs broken teeth for patients throughout Alexandria and Washington, D.C., with Dr. Zeyad Mady, Dr. Fatemeh Mojarrad, and Dr. Pouria Rahini helping patients get out of pain and back to the festivities. This post covers what to do immediately after a tooth breaks, how to tell if it’s an emergency, and how a porcelain crown can restore the tooth for years to come.
Why Holiday Treats Break More Teeth Than You’d Expect
Hard candies, candy canes, nut brittle, toffee, and stale or frozen cookies put serious pressure on tooth enamel. Hidden culprits like unpopped popcorn kernels, olive pits, or a stray nutshell in a dessert can catch you off guard. Teeth already weakened by old fillings, nighttime grinding, or untreated decay tend to give way far more easily under that kind of stress.
What to Do Right After Your Tooth Breaks
Stay calm and rinse your mouth gently with warm water. Save any broken pieces of tooth and bring them to your appointment. A cold compress held against the outside of your cheek helps manage swelling, and over-the-counter pain relief can ease discomfort until you’re seen. Covering sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax protects your tongue and cheek from further irritation.
What Not to Do With a Broken Tooth
Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth, and resist the urge to test the area with sticky or hard foods. Never place aspirin directly against the gum. A small crack can widen or let bacteria reach the inner tooth, so it shouldn’t be ignored or put off until after New Year’s.
Is a Broken Tooth a Dental Emergency?
Severe or throbbing pain, swelling, bleeding that won’t stop, or a tooth that looks loose or shifted all call for an immediate appointment. Lingering sensitivity to hot and cold is another warning sign. Even a painless chip deserves an exam, since the real damage isn’t always visible to the naked eye.
How Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry Repairs a Broken Tooth
Treatment starts with a thorough exam and digital imaging to reveal the full extent of the damage. Minor chips are often resolved with smoothing or bonding, while larger fractures or heavily damaged teeth typically need a dental crown for protection and strength. Occasionally, a root canal is necessary before the crown is placed.
Why Porcelain Crowns Are a Go-To Fix
Porcelain crowns are color-matched to surrounding teeth, so the repair blends naturally with your smile. They’re strong enough to handle normal chewing while covering and supporting a cracked, decayed, or worn tooth for years.
Same-Day Crowns With CEREC Technology
CEREC technology allows for a digital scan, on-screen design, and in-office milling, resulting in a permanent crown placed in a single visit. There’s no temporary crown, no second appointment, and no weeks of waiting, which fits perfectly into a busy holiday schedule.
Schedule Your Broken Tooth Appointment in Alexandria Today
Quick care protects both the tooth and the rest of your holiday season. Contact Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry today to get back to celebrating with confidence.
Contact Mt. Vernon Center For Dentistry:
703-360-5881
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
8101 Hinson Farm Rd Ste 114
Alexandria, Virginia
22306
