My Adult Tooth Is Loose! What Should I Do?

When you were a kid, you were probably excited whenever one of your teeth became loose. It meant that you were growing up. However, having a loose tooth now can be a frightening experience because you know that it won’t be growing back if it falls out. There are all sorts of reasons why an adult tooth can become loose. This includes injuries to the mouth, periodontal disease, and severe tooth decay. It is important that you act quickly if you want to have a chance of saving your tooth. An emergency dentist in Lewisville shares the steps you should take for the best outcome.

See Your Emergency Dentist

You should schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. The longer you go with the loose tooth, the less of a chance there will be to save it. You should try to receive treatment within 12 to 24 hours in order to maximize your dentist’s chances of storing your tooth to health.

Don’t Wiggle It

It may be tempting to wiggle around your loose tooth with your tongue, but playing with it will only make the issue worse. Don’t touch it or chew on it. Even if you think you will have the tooth pulled once you reach the dental office, you shouldn’t do it yourself. You are only increasing your risk for infection.

Clean the Area

You shouldn’t brush your wiggly tooth because you could loosen it further or dislodge it, but you still want to make sure that the area is clean. Instead of brushing, rinse your mouth with warm water in order to wash away particles from the loose tooth. This will help to control bacterial buildup in the mouth.

Eat Carefully

Having a loose tooth doesn’t mean that you need to fast until you get to the dental office. However, you should avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the wiggly tooth is located. Stick to things like scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and applesauce because they are soft. Stay away from taffy, chewy foods, and hard snacks.

Don’t Touch the Root of Your Tooth

If your tooth ends up falling out, you should only touch it by the crown. You do not want to cause any further damage to the root of the tooth. Gently rinse away dirt and debris with water and place it back into the socket. If you can’t keep it there for whatever reason, place it in your cheek or a glass of milk. You will need to get to the dentist within an hour to increase the chances of saving your tooth.

It is critical that you see your emergency dentist right away if you have a loose tooth. By acting quickly and getting to the practice as soon as possible, your dentist will be able to work their magic and do everything they can to restore your smile to health.

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Capehart earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, graduating Magna Cum Laude and in the top 10% of his dental class. He is currently a member of the American Dental Association and the Dallas County Dental Society. If you have a loose tooth, he would be happy to help. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (972) 436-1325.